Digital Delivery of the CBC Results

A message from the National Audubon Society...

Dear CBC Participants, Compilers, and Regional Editors, past and present,

 

As you may know, Audubon is moving to digital delivery of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) results rather than printing and mailing American Birds, the CBC summary, to participants.  In its place, Audubon will be producing a quarterly citizen science eNewsletter which will contain the results of all our Citizen Science programs, including the articles and summaries that previously were distributed in the printed CBC summary editions of American Birds.

If you would like to receive this citizen science eNewsletter, you must sign up online at www.audubon.org/citizenscience by entering your email address just to the right of "Want to keep up with Citizen Science?"  If you have already signed up to receive the new Citizen Science eNewsletter, many thanks--you will receive the first issue of American Birds online next week.

Joining Audubon's online citizen science network ensures you will receive updates on the latest research results, reports from Audubon scientists, and quarterly notification about count summaries posted online.  In addition, you will learn about other citizen science programs and opportunities that may interest you. Please take a moment to sign up now and also to share this information with others who may find it of interest.

Regards,

 

Gary

Gary Langham, Chief Scientist

National Audubon Society

CBC update from National Audubon Society

Here is a message from Gary Langham, Chief Scientist at National Audubon Society....

Dear CBC Participants, Compilers, and Regional Editors, past and present,

 

Thank you for being part of Audubon's Christmas Bird Count (CBC).  Your efforts are appreciated and make a valuable difference for science and bird conservation.

 

As you are aware, this year we are moving to digital delivery of the CBC results rather than printing and mailing the CBC summary report to participants.  If you want to receive information regarding the digital edition of American Birds this year you must sign up online atwww.audubon.org/citizenscience by entering your email address.  Be aware that even if your email address is currently in the CBC system, you will only receive American Birds if you sign up through our new citizen science network.

 

Joining our online citizen science network this way ensures you will receive updates on our latest research results, reports from Audubon scientists, and notification when count summaries are posted online.  In addition, you will learn about other citizen science programs and opportunities that may interest you. Please take a moment to sign up now and also invite participants from your CBC count circle to be part of the network.

 

Regards,

 

Gary

Gary Langham, Chief Scientist

National Audubon Society

Clinton CBC Update

Following the CBC count day, dinner will be at 5:00 p.m. at the Clinton Inn in Clinton, MI just off of Michigan Ave or US 12.  The address is 104 West Michigan Ave, Clinton, MI  49236.  Their website features a dinner menu at http://www.theclintoninn.com/restaurant/dining/dinner .  Merry Christmas Bird Counts!

2012 Clinton CBC

This year the Clinton Christmas Bird Count will be held December 22nd, 2012 with dinner in the evening.  Please contact me if you are interested in participating in this year's CBC.  Details about dinner and section leaders coming soon!

Johanna Lentz
buckandbirdie@gmail.com
734-478-9410

free CBC!

It's now free to participate in the CBC!  No more $5 fee!

See this link.

MICL through the 17 years

We've run the Clinton CBC (MICL) for 17 years and here are some of the highlights:

108 = species have been tallied on count day through the years

1 = additional species has been found count week (CW), but missed on count day

60 = average number of species found for the CBC, with greater numbers in recent years


Attached is a file showing the numbers through the years. (click on the image to enlarge, then the image can be saved to your desktop for further enlarging)
1st page with most of the species:


2nd page with remainder of species and effort:

Many of our participants live outside of the count circle or the area, some drive 1+ hours.

If you'd like to participate in upcoming years, get in touch with me and we'll get you assigned to an area.

CBC = NAS #112, MICL #17, 18-Dec-2011

The 17th annual Clinton Christmas Bird Count was held on December 18, 2011. This was also the 112th annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (CBC).

We had 24 field participants in 14 parties, plus 1 feederwatcher. 67 species were recorded on count day.

Most water was open, but some of the shaded, still water was frozen. Surprisingly, the overall waterfowl numbers were lower than expected. The sky was overcast in the morning with a bit of sun in the afternoon and temps in the mid-30's. Overall, 12,474 individual birds were tallied.

New or tied high count = 14 species (see table posted below), including 2 new species finally tallied on count day (Wilson's Snipe and Common Grackle).
The big records included Sandhill Cranes (123, more than twice the previous high), American Crows (1149, ~twice the previous high), and Eastern Bluebirds (271, ~twice the previous high). Also, a Common Loon on Sand Lake was only the 2nd record of this species for the count.

Thanks to those who have participated in the count for any of the 17 Clinton CBCs.

Several species have become regulars in recent years:

- Turkey Vultures have been found on 9 of the last 10 counts. These are normally found in or near Manchester. Nearly a record number with 76 this year.

- Bald Eagles have been found on 6 of the last 8 counts, and one of the misses included a "count week". A record number of 4 were observed this year.

- Pileated Woodpeckers continue to be observed in more areas of southeast Michigan. This species has been found on 6 of the last 7 counts. A record number of 4 were observed this year.

- Northern Mockingbirds have been found on the last 5 consecutive counts. We tied the record number of 4 this year.

The misses this year included Rough-legged Hawk, Carolina Wren, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, and the general lack of waterfowl numbers considering the open water & mild weather.

Below is a table showing the results of the 2011 count and includes the CBC averages and maximums for each species. (click on the image to enlarge, then the image can be saved to your desktop for further enlarging)



To look into the historical data, check out this link on the NAS website. The Clinton CBC code is MICL.

The date for the next Clinton CBC is likely the 1st Sunday of the CBC season (December 16, 2012). If you have time and interest, please get in touch with me. We'll get you lined up with an area. We can always use more participants and coverage.