 |
Most abundant bird of the CBC - Black Capped Chickadee
photo by Azael Meza |
The Minocqua Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted on
Saturday, December 14, 2013. The following table is a summary of the results of
this year’s Minocqua CBC. Column one
depicts the species of birds recorded.
Column 2 depicts how many years each species was recorded out of 16
years of records. Column 3 shows which
year each species of bird was recorded.
Column 4 shows the number of birds that were recorded for each species. Note that in column 4 (CW) indicates species
that were not recorded on the count day but were observed and recorded within
the count week, which includes 3 days before or after the count day. Under CBC rules (CW) species are recorded.
Species
|
# Yrs. Of Occurance
|
1st Count Year
|
2013 Count
|
Canada Goose
|
3
|
2007
|
1
|
Ruffed Grouse
|
11
|
1962
|
4
|
Bald Eagle
|
14
|
1962
|
3
|
Sharp-shinned Hawk
|
1
|
2013
|
1 (cw)
|
Rock Pigeon
|
7
|
1997
|
5
|
Mourning Dove
|
9
|
1998
|
39
|
Red-bellied Woodpecker
|
8
|
2006
|
7
|
Downy Woodpecker
|
14
|
1962
|
26
|
Hairy Woodpecker
|
15
|
1962
|
23
|
Pileated Woodpecker
|
11
|
1963
|
14
|
Blue Jay
|
16
|
1962
|
81
|
American Crow
|
13
|
1964
|
51
|
Common Raven
|
15
|
1962
|
15
|
Black-capped Chickadee
|
16
|
1962
|
220
|
Red-breasted Nuthatch
|
15
|
1963
|
53
|
White-breasted Nuthatch
|
16
|
1962
|
41
|
Brown Creeper
|
9
|
1982
|
1
|
Dark-eyed Junco
|
5
|
1962
|
1
|
White-winged Crossbill
|
4
|
1964
|
4
(cw)
|
Northern Cardinal
|
2
|
2011
|
5
|
House Finch
|
4
|
2008
|
6
|
Common Redpoll
|
6
|
1997
|
4
|
American Goldfinch
|
11
|
1962
|
110
|
Total Bird Count
|
|
|
710
|
Total Species
|
|
|
21
|
The Minocqua CBC was first conducted in 1962 by 3 observers
in one party that spent about 8 hours in the field looking for birds. The count has been intermittently conducted
since then until the Discovery Center Bird Club took over sponsorship in
2006. The club has been conducting the
count annually since 2006, so this was the eighth consecutive year for the
club’s involvement. The 2013 Minocqua CBC was conducted by 11 people who
participated in 4 field parties with each party being assigned approximately
one-fourth of the count territory. In
addition there were 9 people who reported count results from 7 yards with bird
feeders. This level of participation was
similar to other recent years.
The results of the 2013 Minocqua CBC were above average when
compared to the 16 year history of the count.
The 16 year average for total birds counted each year is 596 birds per
year and 19 species per year. However,
when comparing the 2013 data to the average for the 8 years that the bird club
has been involved, 2013 was a below average year. The average for total birds and species
counted over the past 8 years is 847 birds and 23 species. The higher results over the past 8 years
probably should be attributed to differences in effort compared to earlier
years rather than likely relative abundance of birds.
The 2008 Minocqua CBC still is the record holder for this
annual effort when 1,418 birds and 27 species were recorded! The 2013 CBC resulted in about one-half the
number of birds in 2008 even though the effort and weather conditions for both
years was similar. The difference was that
in 2008 the observers recorded good numbers for bird species that were absent
in 2013. Among those species are Wild
Turkey, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Red Crossbill, Snow Bunting, Common
Redpoll, and Pine Siskin. There also
were over 300 American Goldfinch reported in 2008 compared to 110 for 2013.
 |
Second most abundant species - American Goldfinch
photo by Azael Meza |
Comparing data for 2013 to the 2012 Minocqua CBC shows that
fewer birds and species were observed in 2013.
The 2012 CBC resulted in 27 species which tied the high count in 2008
but 2013 yielded 21 species. Both 2008
and 2012 were exceptional winter finch years.
Significant numbers of Pine Siskin (22), and Pine Grosbeak (26) were
recorded in 2012 but none were reported for 2013. In addition, comparing two years (2012/2013)
show that in 2012 there were higher counts for Canada Goose (22/1), Mallard
(17/0), Wild Turkey (45/0), American Crow (114/51), Mourning Dove (53/39), and
Common Redpoll (137/4).
So, if we don’t get incredible results every year, why do we
do this? Well, most of all, it is
FUN! Also, doing the CBC is a wonderful
way to contribute, via citizen science, to the National effort lead by the
National Audubon Society and the statewide effort lead by the Wisconsin Society
for Ornithology. This is very consistent with the mission of the North Lakeland
Discovery Center and the Discovery Center Bird Club.
I also think it is locally interesting to know about our
local bird populations. For example: Minocqua CBC participants have recorded a total
of 51 species of birds over 16 years but never more than 27 species during any
single CBC. Seven (7) species have been
recorded only once in 16 years (Boreal Chickadee, American Robin, Cedar
Waxwing, American Tree Sparrow, Red Crossbill, Common Grackle, Hoary
Redpoll). Three (3) species have been
recorded every year (Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted
Nuthatch). Three (3) species have been recorded 15 out of 16 years (Hairy
Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Common Raven). Winter birds are more abundant during some
winters compared to others. There is a
natural fluctuation. Local bird population trends perhaps can be
detected and can raise questions. For
example, Wild Turkey was first recorded in good numbers in 2008 and every year
since but none were recorded in 2013. Certain species of birds are recorded nearly
every year while some are rarely recorded (see table herein). Some species are
only recorded when certain conditions exist, e.g. open water. Most species of
birds that have been recorded in Wisconsin (about 433) have never been recorded
in the area during CBCs. Any given year, something new could show up and
thus become a “first”. This happened for
the 2013 count when a Sharp-shinned Hawk was reported during the count week but
not on the count day (CW). In 2012 a Hoary Redpoll was recorded for the first
time ever and in 2011 a Northern Cardinal was recorded for the first time (5
recorded in 2013 by 2 different field parties).
I want to express my appreciation to all 20 people who
helped with the 2013 Minocqua CBC.
Feeder counters who have kept their bird feeders filled and spent time
detecting and recording birds visiting their feeders are critical to the success
of this annual effort. Counted among
these are Jean Wiggins, Elaine Kotlarek, Milly Reinemann, John and Susan Brant,
George Zickert, Kathy and Rick Jolin, and Sarah Kemp.
A good number of species of winter birds aren’t necessarily
found around bird feeders, so the field counters make it possible to find and
record those species so their effort is especially appreciated. The 2013 field counters included:
·
Northwest Quadrant - Guy David (Count
Coordinator and Leader), Ed Marshall
·
Southwest Quadrant - Peter Rasmussen (Leader),
Heather Lumpkin, Leanna Jackan
·
Northeast Quadrant - John Bates (Leader) and
Mary Burns
·
Southeast Quadrant - Donna Roche (Leader), Kay
Hoff, Jean Hanson, and Carnie Andrews.
Report submitted by Discovery Center Bird Club Member, Guy David.
Bob Von Holdt is
a Certified Financial Planner, serving the Stevens Point community for 28 years
and now is based in the Minocqua and Manitowish Waters area. He is a Lake
Tomahawk resident since 2003 and has two daughters that live nearby in St. Germain and also in Indianapolis.
He enjoys boating, cycling and snowshoeing, and was past Chairman of the Green
Circle Board, which developed a 26 mile trail system to connect green spaces in
Stevens Point. Bob is a member of the Manitowish Waters and Minocqua Chambers
of Commerce. Other community involvement includes participation with the North
Lakeland Education Foundation, service as a board member for Tomahawk Lake, and
past officer for the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. He has been a
Discovery Center member for several years and supports the Center’s mission of
stewardship and environmental education. 
