Mariton - Bird Census Results

We conducted the 27th Nesting Bird Census on Saturday.  The count was a week later than usual, and I was slightly concerned that birds might be quiet; busy with incubation of feeding chicks.  Comparing past years' data, I don't think that was a factor, with one exception.  Red-eyed Vireos were particularly quiet and we counted about half what I would expect.  I think this was a factor of the census timing.

We ended up with 46 species and 275 individual birds.  Both numbers correlate with the last ten years of censuses.  We had one anomaly; a flock of 25 Canada Geese flew over us as we started out.  Geese don't nest on Mariton's property, but it has been the protocol to count species seen or heard from within the boundaries since Polly Ivenz started collecting data.  We usually count a few geese each year and understand the numbers.

The high species was Blue Jays at 22 individuals.  Next were Tufted Titmouses and Wood Thrush tied at 16 individuals.  We counted 15 different Ovenbirds.  Cowbirds (11) and House Wrens (11) were high compared to past data.  This might be due to the timing, but concerns me nonetheless.  House Wrens have taken a toll on Bluebird reproduction at Mariton this year, and I have no idea what impact they may have had on natural cavity nesters (nuthatches, chickadees, etc.).  Cowbirds are nest parasites.  They lay their eggs in other species' nests to be raised by foster parents, often at the cost of the biological offspring.  One year's data set doesn't warrant action, but I will be monitoring these numbers in future years.

There were no unexpected species, but we were excited to count a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers.  We also counted both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos.