BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON TERRITORY

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1 Edmonton. High numbers of Blue Jays were again reported for the region but declined approximately 20 percent from last year. Similarly, Black-billed Magpies continue their decline at a rate of about 10 percent. Black-capped and Mountain chickadee numbers also dropped about 20 percent since last year. Bohemian Waxwings totaled 14,359, less than half the number reported last year. House Finch numbers stalled at about 835 birds for the second year in a row. Four locations in southern Alberta reported 795 birds, while Edmonton, representing the only northern locale, counted a mere 40. Common Redpoll numbers continue to exhibit the roller coaster effect that started in 1992; this year only 7792 were tallied, a 60 percent drop from last year. House Sparrow numbers continue to remain fairly constant as they have over the past couple of years. Three Northwest Territories counts reported 22 species, up two from last year. The number of Willow Ptarmigan dropped about 20 percent from last year. Numbers in Yellowknife (158) remain essentially unchanged; at Norman Wells 13 were counted (down from 44), and one was counted at Fort Simpson. The total of 2272 Common Raven was 104 birds fewer than the 2003 high of Yellowknife reported the most, with 1860 birds, slightly more than the combined total for last year. The Blackcapped Chickadee (11), found only at Fort Simpson, appears to have been replaced by the Boreal Chickadee (at least more abundant) at Norman Wells and Yellowknife. Two counts, Rankin Inlet and Arviat, were submitted from Nunavut. The Common Raven was the only species reported. BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON TERRITORY Richard J. Cannings 1330 Debeck Road, Site 11, Comp 96, RR1 Naramata, BC V0H 1N0 dickcannings@shaw.ca Eighty-seven counts came in from British Columbia and Yukon this year, another all-time high. New counts were Count circles in BRITISH COLUMBIA AND YUKON TERRITORY from Blaeberry, Charlie Lake, Powell River, Rossland-Warfield, Teslin, and Trail-Beaver Valley. Weather didn t play a factor on most counts, though the Mayo, YT, count reported a bonechilling low of minus 49 F, and wind and cold temperatures combined to make life uncomfortable for birders at Whitehorse and Haines Junction. Some coastal counts had rather windy days as well, including (as usual) Haida Gwaii counts such as Skidegate Inlet and Rose Spit. Tlell, however, had calm conditions, and viewing conditions for waterfowl were unusually ideal. Those conditions, combined with a concentration of herring and perhaps other food inshore, produced remarkable numbers of loons, grebes and waterfowl at Tlell. British Columbia detail The species count in British Columbia soared to 236 this year (from 225 last year), and the Yukon s species count climbed to 36 (34 last year). Victoria birders had a superb day, setting a new Canadian record of 154 species, THE 105TH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT AMERICAN BIRDS 51

2 and Oliver-Osoyoos led the way again in the interior with 105. In the Yukon, Whitehorse was alone in the lead with a record-breaking 28 species. Last year s good Brant totals plummeted this year, with only 365 seen, 261 of them at Ladner. The Trumpeter Swan total dropped slightly to 6638, mainly because numbers at Comox were down to 1474, less than half of what was reported last year. Mute Swan numbers were up, with 102 seen on eight counts, mostly on Vancouver Island. Tlell reported good numbers of mergansers and Long-tailed Ducks, but its truly remarkable total was a new Canadian record for Common Goldeneyes: 11,161. Tlell also posted record-breaking numbers of Red-throated Loon (1151) and Red-necked Grebe (708). Campbell River, with its well-known concentrations of waterbirds in Discovery Passage, reported 4437 Pacific Loons. Yellowbilled Loons were back to normal levels, with five seen on three counts, including three on Hecate Strait. The Hecate Strait ferry also had the only tubenoses reported this year five Short-tailed Shearwaters. Spruce Grouse are difficult to find in winter, remaining quietly in their food trees all day, so totals of 10 at Marsh Lake, seven at Whitehorse, and five at Pemberton-Mt. Currie are certainly noteworthy. Ptarmigan are also cryptic in winter; this year Whistler had a White-tailed Ptarmigan (reportedly being killed by Northern Pygmy-Owl!); while good numbers of Willow Ptarmigan were seen at Haines Junction (27) and Mackenzie (10). This year s record total of 697 Wild Turkeys was certainly helped by a report of 223 from the new Trail-Beaver Valley count. This species continues to burgeon in the Kootenays. Numbers of another introduced species, the California Quail, declined in the north Okanagan this year, but a record high of 4566 was reported farther south, in Penticton. An American White Pelican at White Rock was extremely unusual. Sooke reported good numbers of cormorants, with 1349 Brandt s, 1329 Double-crested, and 502 Pelagic; only Skidegate Inlet had more Pelagics (585). White Rock and Ladner both had single Cattle Egrets, the remnants of a large movement of small flocks through British Columbia; in the interior, Creston and Logan Lake managed to report single count period birds. Golden Eagles wintered in good numbers, with a total of 51 seen, including 12 at Vaseux Lake and 11 at Oliver- Osoyoos. Gyrfalcons were unusually widespread, with singles on eight counts. Black-bellied Plovers wintered in high numbers for the second year in a row, with 6855 on the Ladner count and a notable 293 at Comox. White Rock had a good array of unusual shorebirds, including an American Avocet, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Long-billed Curlew. Other interesting shorebird sightings included a Willet at Ladner, three Whimbrel at Victoria, and a Ruddy Turnstone at Nanaimo. A Sabine s Gull at Penticton was totally unexpected, though a few had passed through the interior in the fall. Other rare gulls included a count week Slaty-backed at Nanaimo and a count week Heermann s at Victoria. Hecate Strait reported 13 Cassin s Auklet, but more surprising was a count week bird in Victoria. The most unusual alcid was a single Tufted Puffin in Bamfield. A surprising total of 155 Eurasian Collared-Doves was counted in British Columbia s one wild population at Cawston. Seven Western Screech-Owls were reported from seven counts, four on the coast and three in the Okanagan- Similkameen. Victoria reported good numbers of other owls, including 26 Great Horned and eight Barred, indicating that it isn t lack of effort that is producing the low counts of screechowls. Great Horned Owls remain at low numbers in the Yukon, with only a count week report from Haines Junction. Single Northern Hawk Owls were reported from five counts, but there was certainly no sign of the significant movement that occurred east of the Rockies. Great Gray Owls were widespread, with seven on five counts, including three at Smithers; no fewer than eight were reported in count week elsewhere. Victoria hummingbird watchers again outdid themselves with a record 390 Anna s Hummingbirds reported; Sooke had a single Rufous. Penticton missed Lewis s Woodpecker for the first time in history as the Trout Creek wintering population dwindled to zero, but Oliver- Osoyoos reported two. A Western Scrub-Jay at a Squamish feeder was the fourth record for a Canadian Christmas count. Chestnut-backed Chickadees, normally restricted to the wet coniferous forests of the coast and Kootenays, wandered widely across the drier interior, showing up on perhaps 10 counts they don t normally appear on, including five each in Salmon Arm and Penticton. Conversely, single Mountain Chickadees showed up on three Lower Mainland counts Chilliwack, Ladner, and White Rock well away from their normal interior coniferous forest haunts. Barn Swallows continued their mysterious winter wanderings into British Columbia; two were found in Kamloops and a single at Port Alberni. Vaseux Lake had two lingering Rock Wrens and a near-record 24 Canyon Wrens. Penticton s Western Bluebird total slipped to 150, while Victoria reported the only Mountain Bluebird this year. Wilson s Warblers were seen on three coastal counts (Abbotsford-Mission, Vancouver, and Victoria), while Victoria also had a Western Tanager. Kelowna s Chipping Sparrow and Whitehorse s White-throated Sparrow were both highly unusual, but paled in comparison to the pair of McKay s Buntings seen on the Vancouver count. These birds had been present for some time and remained on the Iona Island jetty for several weeks after the count as well. A count week Rose-breasted Grosbeak was very unusual at Pitt Meadows, as were single count day Black-headed Grosbeaks at Nanaimo and Pemberton-Mt. Currie. Except for an isolated concentration at Cranbrook, Red Crossbills were scarce everywhere off Vancouver Island. 52 AMERICAN BIRDS

3 White-winged Crossbills were also scarce, consistently found only in the northwest. Evening Grosbeak numbers remained low, with the only significant numbers being 309 tallied at Rossland-Warfield. Count circles in ALASKA ALASKA R. L. Buzz Scher 8640 Leeper Circle Anchorage, Alaska A near record 889 observers (field and feeder watchers) tallied 133 species (plus 4 during count week), and a record 180,383 total individuals and 42 (plus 1 count week) species of passerine (81,646 individuals) during the 35 counts conducted in Alaska. These benchmark results were no doubt reflective of all the compilers efforts, plus generally mild weather across Alaska preceding and during the counts. Daytime high temperatures generally ranged from 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit on the counts in the southeast portion of the state, the mid-30s to 40 degrees on the southcoastal counts, the low 30s on the southwest counts, and from about 10 to 30 degrees on the central (Interior) and western Alaska counts. (A low of minus 27 degrees was recorded at Prudhoe Bay in the north.) A new count circle was established at Gambell, on St Lawrence Island in far western Alaska. More than 50 observers took part on each of four counts (132 at Anchorage, 109 at Fairbanks, 69 at Sitka, and 52 at Kodiak). Statewide, eight species accounted for almost 40 percent of the total individuals tallied: Mallard (12,663), Bohemian Waxwing (12,262), Glaucous-winged Gull (11,664), Pine Siskin (9716), Common Raven (7584), Northwestern Crow (6129), Rock Sandpiper (5687), and Black-capped Chickadee (4965). New record state high counts were set for Emperor Goose (3273, Izembek NWR), Canada Goose (1098, Juneau), Mallard (3764, Homer), Rock Ptarmigan (100, Unalaska Island), Black Oystercatcher (584, Kodiak), Sanderling (800, Izembek NWR), Dunlin (1515, Glacier Bay), Northwestern Crow (1814, Juneau), Black-capped Chickadee (1997, Anchorage), American Dipper (36, Matanuska Valley), Townsend s Solitaire (4, Anchorage), American Pipit (29, Narrow Cape-Kalsin Bay), Bohemian Waxwing (11,415, Anchorage), Lapland Longspur (51, Seward), Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (328, Unalaska Island), and Common Redpoll (7917, Anchorage). Most remarkable for the state, climate warming or not, were three hummingbird and three warbler species, all but one recorded in the southcoastal region: Costa s Hummingbird (lingering since fall; first Alaska CBC and winter record) at Cordova, Anna s Hummingbird also at Cordova (count week), a probable Rufous Hummingbird at Sitka (count week), single Orange-crowned and Townsend s warblers at Anchorage, and two Wilson s Warblers at Homer. The 12 counts in the southeast portion of the state (Chilkat, Craig-Klawock, Glacier Bay, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan, Mitkof Island, Sitka, Skagway, Tenakee Springs, Wrangell Island, and Yakutat) tallied 98 (plus 5 count week) species and 52,241 individuals. Among that number were 35 species of passerine Alaska detail (15,956 individuals), 33 waterfowl and seabirds, and 19 shorebirds, gulls, and alcids. Six species Mallard, Long-tailed Duck, Barrow s Goldeneye, Glaucouswinged Gull, Northwestern Crow, and Pine Siskin accounted for over half of the individuals recorded. Area maxima 71 species were observed at both Glacier Bay (plus 3 count week) and Juneau (14,635 individuals). The nine counts conducted in the southcoastal region (Anchorage, Cordova, Eagle River, Homer, Kodiak, Matanuska THE 105TH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT AMERICAN BIRDS 53

4 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis), Homer, Alaska. Photo/Ernest Manewal Valley, Narrow Cape-Kalsin Bay, Seward, and Soldotna) tallied 117 (plus 4 count week) species and 90,027 individuals, including 41 species of passerine (48,343 individuals); 40 waterfowl and seabirds; 15 shorebirds, gulls, and alcids; and 10 raptors (diurnal and nocturnal). Six species Mallard, Rock Sandpiper, Black-capped Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwing, Common Redpoll, and Pine Siskin accounted for over half of the total individuals. Statewide maxima 78 species were observed at Kodiak and 26,521 individuals were tallied at Anchorage (where Bohemian Waxwings and Common Redpolls accounted for almost 73 percent of this total). The eight counts across the central portion of the state (Delta Junction, Denali NP, Eagle Community, Fairbanks, Galena, Kenny Lake, Tok, and Trapper Creek-Talkeetna) tallied 35 (plus 2 count week) species and 14,812 individuals, including 19 species of passerine (11,850 individuals), seven raptors (diurnal and nocturnal), and four each of grouse and woodpeckers. Two species, Common Raven and Common Redpoll, accounted for almost 70 percent of the total individuals. Area maxima 25 species and 12,180 individuals were tallied at Fairbanks. The three counts located along the Alaska Peninsula and eastern Aleutian Islands (Izembek NWR, King Salmon-Naknek, and Unalaska Island) tallied 58 (plus 1 count week) species and 21,747 individuals, including 24 species of waterfowl and seabirds; 15 passerines (1982 individuals); 10 shorebirds, gulls, and alcids; and five diurnal raptors. Four species Emperor Goose, Brant, Steller s Eider, and Glaucous-winged Gull accounted for over half of the total individuals. Area maxima 44 species were observed at Unalaska Island, and 13,486 individuals were counted at Izembek NWR. The final three counts were located in, but hardly representative of, western and northern Alaska (Gambell, Nome, and Prudhoe Bay), where nine species (6 passerine) and 1003 individuals were tallied. Two species, Common Raven and Long-tailed Duck (the latter only at Gambell), accounted for over 75 percent of the total individuals. Regional maxima six species and 460 individuals were counted at Nome. There it is, all the reason you need to plan your next winter trip to the Greatland (at least some of us think it s so). NEW ENGLAND Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont Wayne R. Petersen Cape Cod Center for Bird Conservation at Long Pasture 345 Bone Hill Road P.O. Box 235 Cummaquid, MA wpetersen@massaudubon.org Always interesting and never the same, the 105th New England CBC was no exception. In a winter when many CBC compilers commented on the paucity of birds, the CBC reports were nonetheless notable in a number of ways. A summary of count statistics showed that a total of 223 species was recorded on 118 CBCs this season, along with count week Whitewinged Dove (Nantucket), Western Kingbird (Cape Ann), Ovenbird (Greater Boston), and Boat-tailed Grackle (Stratford-Milford). This is up from last year s 216 species and includes at least two first regional CBC occurrences (California Gull and Ruby-throated Hummingbird). A total of 3154 observers traveled 43,695 party miles and contributed 9597 party hours of holiday time to generate this robust total. As has been reiterated before, were it not for this degree of diligence by so many dedicated citizen scientists, the CBC would be unable to accurately reflect winter bird trends the way it has since its inception over a century ago. To all who participated and gave of their time and energy counting birds at Christmas this year, thank you! A special thanks to George W. Zepko, who marked his 50th consecutive year as a participant in the Westport, Connecticut, count. As in the past, a rundown of the highest CBC tally for each New England state hopefully helps bolster the camaraderie and competition that inevitably surrounds the event each year. As always, the short list of probable winners is rather predictable given that, as in the real estate business, it s all about location, location, location. Keeping this in mind, this season s top honor belongs to New Haven (127), the count that also placed first last year with 135 species. More noteworthy is the fact that each of the highest state totals this season was lower than the corresponding high counts for last year. In other words, in spite of the higher cumulative species total for New England, the overall numbers of birds recorded on CBCs this year were definitely depressed. The winning CBC totals for other New England states were Newport County-Westport (125) in Rhode Island, Martha s Vineyard (120) and Mid-Cape Cod (120) in Massachusetts, Coastal New Hampshire (106) in New Hampshire, Greater Portland (89) in Maine, and Ferrisburg (79) in Vermont. Despite the fact that the Boston area experienced a record January (2005) snowfall, and that persistent cold and severe windchill throughout the region punctuated the last half of the month, the fall weather was generally cool and a bit wetter than usual, but was by no means severe. However, as veteran 54 AMERICAN BIRDS

5 Count circles in NEW ENGLAND Plymouth CBC compiler, Trevor Lloyd- Evans, noted, The count followed a well-below-average fall migration for most species, plus a very poor fruit and berry crop in 2004, with not much natural food left by Christmas. He further pointed out, We had an early deep freeze in 2004 (3 degrees Fahrenheit on 21 December) and a substantial snowstorm during the week before the count. These observations suggest that a combination of factors, including the lesser magnitude of fall migration, the nature of the autumn weather preceding the CBC period, the availability of food during early winter, and the weather immediately preceding the CBC period, may have accounted for the lower than usual numbers of birds recorded on many counts this season. Even more intriguing are the insights provided by Henry Norwood, compiler for the venerable Concord, MA, CBC. Norwood postulates that years of low numbers of individuals on his CBC show a compelling correlation to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) index data. Norwood ran a series of test regression analyses for the period of for counts of a number of species that are regular on the Concord count and have shown a tendency to appear in lower numbers in El Niño THE 105TH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT AMERICAN BIRDS 55

6 Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), Newport-Westport, Rhode Island- Massachusetts. Photo/Geoff Dennis years. Because 2004 witnessed a relatively strong El Niño episode, Norwood suggests that the lower numbers of birds on the CBC could be a related event. Both of the scenarios described above offer fascinating insight into factors that could have influenced the numbers of birds counted at Christmas. Rather than speculate further, however, I invite interested readers to form their own hypotheses to explain the perturbations observed this winter. Clearly there are opportunities for further investigation. In broad terms, a few species deserve particular comment, either because their populations appear to be changing regionally, or simply because they represented a detectable blip on this season s CBC effort. Among the species that seem to be showing a steady increase on New England CBCs in recent years are Hooded Merganser, Wild Turkey, Doublecrested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Black Vulture, Cooper s Hawk, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Monk Parakeet, Redbellied Woodpecker, Common Raven, and Northern Cardinal. A selection of species showing a steady and consistent decline includes American Black Duck, Northern Bobwhite, American Kestrel, Herring Gull, American Crow, and Evening Grosbeak. From this sample it is interesting to notice how many of the species also appeared on last year s roster. The reasons for these trends are undoubtedly varied and complex, but among the probable causes are almost certainly global climate change (e.g., Black Vulture, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal), landscape level habitat change (e.g., Cooper s Hawk, Northern Bobwhite, Common Raven), biological competition with other species (e.g., American Kestrel), effects of West Nile virus (e.g., American Crow), and reduction in availability of food sources associated with human activity (e.g., Herring Gull). Besides the species listed above, several others deserve specific mention. For reasons that are probably different in each case, three historically abundant introduced species appear to be in a fairly steep decline at the moment Mute Swan, Ring-necked Pheasant, and European Starling. While it is unlikely that too many birders will lament these declines, it is nonetheless interesting that three exotic species, each with quite different requirements, all seem to be declining concurrently. Of the regularly irruptive species, none showed any particular evidence of major movement this winter, as reflected by the following rather paltry regional totals: Northern Goshawk (35), Rough-legged Hawk Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), Lee-Durham, New Hampshire. Photo/Steve Mirick (135), Snowy Owl (19, more than twice last year s total, however), Short-eared Owl (15), Northern Shrike (70), and Bohemian Waxwing (39). In addition, there was scarcely any winter finch movement worthy of mention, even in northern New England. Now for the good stuff, the fancy finds that motivate birders to go birding even in the coldest, windiest, or snowiest weather in an effort to locate that special bird that might gild the lily on his or her favorite CBC. As always there were some dandy finds, perhaps most notable being a California Gull in first-winter plumage, carefully documented and photographed at Nantucket, and a definitively identified and stunningly photographed Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Newport County-Westport. Practically as amazing as these two first New England CBC records is the fact that the Newport County CBC also recorded two Rufous Hummingbirds! Imagine, in the past three years New England CBCs have produced records of Calliope, Rubythroated, and Rufous hummingbirds. Only slightly less remarkable is another tier of records. In this list belong American White Pelican at Manchester (plus count week at Quincy), Green Heron at Northampton, Willet at Greater Portland, Marbled Godwit at Cape Cod, Forster s Tern at Taunton- Middleboro, Ash-throated Flycatcher at Cape Ann, Townsend s Solitaire at Cape Ann, Townsend s Warbler at Cape Ann, Blackpoll Warbler at Greater Boston (plus count week at South Kingstown), and Yellow-throated Warbler at Lee-Durham. A summary of other highlights taken in taxonomic order follows. Greater White-fronted Geese are now becoming sufficiently regular in the region that they no longer warrant highlighting, as suggested by the presence of singles this year at Northampton, Storrs, and Woodbury-Roxbury. In stark contrast to some years when Vermont Snow Geese have numbered in four and five figures, this year s state total of 11 individuals was, at best, paltry. A Tundra Swan at 56 AMERICAN BIRDS

7 Green Heron (Butorides virescens), Northampton, Massachusetts. Photo/Emily Jewell Southern Berkshire was a nice perk for a far inland count, while the regional total of 2438 Mute Swans was more than 300 below last year. The fact that this exotic species is in the sights of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for population reduction in the Atlantic Flyway suggests that perhaps New England has already made a contribution to the quota. A Blue-winged Teal at Greenwich-Stamford is always a juicy find for a New England CBC. The tally of 226,536 Long-tailed Ducks at Nantucket is surely one of the most seasonally impressive aggregations of birds anywhere in the region, and the regional total of 4850 Hooded Mergansers is a vivid reflection of the continued increase of this species in recent years. On the flip side of the ledger are regional totals of 150 Canvasbacks and a mere five Redheads, both grim reminders of a long-term slide in the numbers of these handsome prairie nesters. Without question Spruce Grouse is one of the most difficult species to record in winter of all the birds that regularly occur in New England, so a total of seven this season was outstanding, especially two at Pittsburg, NH, in a state where the species is hardly ever recorded on a CBC. Pacific Loons have been almost annual somewhere in the region in recent years, so individuals at Stellwagen Bank, Greater Portland, and Mount Desert Island were not totally unexpected. Of greater potential interest was a loon identified as an Arctic Loon at Mount Desert Island; however, without full documentation (preferably with photos), this editor conservatively excluded it from the census tally. Unequivocal, however, was an Eared Grebe at Cape Ann that has been recorded for at least six years in a row. Long-legged wader highlights featured Great Egrets at Stratford-Milford, New London, and Greenwich-Stamford and a Little Blue Heron at Cape Cod, in addition to the previously mentioned Green Heron at Northampton. A regional total of 60 Black Vultures clearly places this species near the top of the list of southern species rapidly expanding its range into New England. Regional Ospreys at Newport County- Westport and count week at Sturbridge are becoming increasingly frequent as the species continues to recover from pesticide contamination of 40 to 50 years ago. Bald Eagles smashed all previous regional CBC counts with a stunning total of 524 individuals. Even more impressive is the fact that Cooper s Hawks (407) for the first time eclipsed Sharp-shinned Hawks (380), thus providing incontrovertible evidence of the recent meteoric increase in the numbers of this incredibly successful raptor in New England. Of increasing concern, however, is the continued decline in American Kestrel numbers, the cumulative total of 56 individuals representing the lowest in the 25 years that this editor has been summarizing New England counts. Sandhill Cranes at Lewiston-Auburn and Hartford were potentially indicators of the recent colonization of northern Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata), South Kingstown, Rhode Island (count week). Photo/Mike Tucker New England by this species, while a Sora at Napatree Point was the only rail of note during the period. Notable shorebirds this season included two Semipalmated Plovers at Thomaston- Rockland, American Oystercatchers at New Bedford and New Haven, Western Sandpiper at Coastal New Hampshire, and two Long-billed Dowitchers at Stratford-Milford. One shorebird to watch carefully in the future is Sanderling, since regional CBC numbers have been declining for several years, a pattern congruent with national trends for this wide-ranging calidrid. Three Pomarine Jaegers at Stellwagen Bank is considerably less surprising than it was even a decade ago. Little Gull at Nantucket, Thayer s Gull (Whatever that is!) at Augusta, and a robust regional total of 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls round out the list of larid luminaries. In keeping with the rising tide of northward moving Red-bellied Woodpeckers were comments from compilers about the spectacular numbers of this species in northern New England this winter (New Hampshire, 77; Vermont, 46; Maine, 63). A Blue-headed Vireo at New Haven was a pleasant CBC surprise. While Common Ravens continue their southward range expansion into southern New England (see especially Rhode Island and Connecticut CBCs), American Crow numbers remained depressed on many counts, apparently a result of West Nile virus. As with the Red-bellied Woodpeckers, there seemed to be an increasing surge of Tufted Titmice northward, as well as at Martha s Vineyard, where there was a 460 percent increase from the previous high of five individuals. Martha s Vineyard offers a textbook situation for tracking the colonization of an island by a pioneering species. A Sedge Wren at Greater Boston was unique this season, while a Varied Thrush at Concord, MA, and count week singles at Nantucket and Newburyport hinted at a mini-irruption this winter. Always of interest, 13 species of early winter warblers were recorded. Besides THE 105TH CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT AMERICAN BIRDS 57

8 the several species previously mentioned, most notable were three Nashvilles at Buzzards Bay, Blackthroated Blue at New Bedford (plus count week at Bath-Phippsburg), and Ovenbird (count week) and Wilson s at Greater Boston. A Western Tanager brightened the Bath-Phippsburg count, much as did Lark Sparrow at Saxton s River and Lincoln s Sparrows at Hartford and Springfield, VT. NEW YORK Kevin J. McGowan, Ph.D. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY kjm2@cornell.edu The 105th Christmas Bird Count season in New York produced a number of interesting birds on the 67 counts conducted within the state. A total of 218 species (plus several recognizable forms) was recorded, amounting to 1,327,846 individual birds. The Brooklyn and Southern Nassau County counts tied for the state high at 129 species each; the Montauk count came close with 127 species. The Montezuma count topped the upstate lists with 81 species. Warbler species seemed to be found in greater abundance than usual downstate, with a few very unusual species noted, and winter finch numbers were good for an off year. The single Greater White-fronted Goose on the Sagaponack count was the only one in the state this year, while Snow Goose was found on 25 counts. Single and small numbers of Snows were reported on 17 counts upstate, but the Montezuma count had 431, and Saratoga Springs topped the state with The Southern Nassau County count was the first New York Christmas Bird Count to log the newly created Cackling Goose, with one individual seen. The Staten Island count managed a bird seen count week. Brant at Peekskill, Binghamton, and Syracuse were unusual. Also unusual, but not quite countable, was the Egyptian Goose found on the Monticello count. Trumpeter Swan continues to be found in New York each winter. Two were found on the Rochester count, a single bird was photographed in Watkins Glen, and another was seen count week on the Montezuma count. The Montezuma count led the state once again in Tundra Swans, with a moderate 535. Buffalo had Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), Smithtown, Long Island, New York. Photo/Shai Mitra 175, Jamestown had 89, and four other counts accounted for 45. Wood Ducks turned up on a number of upstate counts this year, with the two seen at Saranac Lake being the most unusual. Eurasian Wigeon appeared on the normal number of downstate counts, with two each on the Queens and Bronx-Westchester counts, and single birds on the Brooklyn and Southern Nassau counts. A single Blue-winged Teal on the Catskill-Coxsackie was the only one in the state. Only six King Eiders were reported this year, two of those at Buffalo. The Northern Nassau count had the only Barrow s Goldeneye Count circles in NEW YORK 58 AMERICAN BIRDS