This was the 38th year of the VFAS Spring Bird Count. The count occurs on the first Saturday in June, making this year’s June 1 date the earliest date the count can be. While we suspected that may have meant more late moving neo-tropical migrants, the only evidence of delayed moving species were the Magnolia Warblers observed from 2 sections.
The weather on June 1, 2024, was partly cloudy with a low of 54 degrees F. and a high of about 79 degrees F. The wind was light with a breeze between 1-3 miles per hour. Winds at those levels made for great viewing conditions. High winds might make vultures and raptors happy, but not anyone else.
We observed 102 species, which tied with last year’s count and represents the highest total ever recorded for the count. The average species observed for the count is 94 species.
And now some of the highlights:
Highs:
- Great-blue Heron: We had 60 observations. Our average 21. This is the 3rd highest total for the count.
- Turkey Vulture: We had 150 observations. Our average is 74. This is the 4th highest total for the count. Why are Turkey Vultures doing fine and Black Vultures in decline (see below)?
- Wood Ducks: We had 65 observations. Our average is 26. This is the 4th highest total for the count.
- Common Merganser: We had 37 observations. Our average is 4. This is the highest total for the species, and it is no longer considered rare in our area in the spring and summer.
- Osprey: We had 4 observations which ties it with our highest total for the count in 1996. That 1996 count also occurred on June 1.
- Red-tailed Hawk: We observed 71 Red-tailed Hawks, which is the highest total ever for the count. Average is 38.
- Red-shouldered Hawk: With 18 observations, we have again broken a record with this species. Average is 2.
- Peregrine Falcon: The count had 7 sightings for a new highest total. Our average is 1.
- Killdeer: We had 20 observations and the highest total since 2016.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: We had 16 sightings of this species, which ties 2020 for the highest total.
- Belted Kingfisher: There were 26 sightings for this species. This is the 3rd highest total ever. Average is 13.
- Northern Flicker: We had 122 observations, which is the highest total for this species by 1 from last year. Our average is 74.
- Willow Flycatcher: We had 65 sightings for the 2nd highest total from last year’s 71. Average is 25.
- Fish Crow: 2024 came in with 37 observations. Average is 13. There has been an uptick in observations since 2020. We went from teens to 30’s and 40’s starting in 2020.
- Common Raven: This species first showed up in 2016. We had 8 observations which is the 2nd highest total for the count.
- Tree Swallow: We had 265 observations making for the highest total since 2013. The average is 126.
- Carolina Chickadees: We had 84 observations, which is the same as last year. This is well below our average of 123, but a significant improvement from the 2019 low of 25.
- Tufted Titmouse: This species also showed signs of improvement with 115 sightings. There were 92 reported in 2023. Average is 117. As with Carolina Chickadees, this species crashed in 2019 with only 27 reported that year.
- Carolina Wrens: We had 280 observations and the 2nd highest total for the count. Average is 112.
- Eastern Bluebird: We had 113 observations, the highest total ever for the count. Average is 38. Looking at the numbers, this species did not show up for the count until 1988 with 4 birds. The conservation steps taken with artificial nesting boxes have made a huge difference for this species.
- Northern Mockingbird: We had 89 observations with average for the count at 70. This is a slight uptick since 2016.
- Brown Thrashers came in with 20 observations making for the 2nd highest total for the count since last year’s 21.
- Common Yellowthroat: We had 191 observations making for the 3rd highest total for the count. Average is 129.
- Northern Cardinal: We had 492 observations making for the highest total ever for this species. Average is 297.
- Red-winged Blackbird: We had 916 observations which is the highest total ever for the count. Average is 384.
- Brown-headed Cowbird: We had 196 observations. Average is 112. This is the 2nd highest total for the count.
- Orchard Oriole. The count had 49 observations. Our average is 20, making 2024 the 2nd highest total for this species.
- American Goldfinch: We had 284 sightings of this species. Our average is 178 making 2024 the 2nd highest total for this species.
Lows:
- Black Vulture: We had 31 observations. Our average is 31. We note this because this year is the lowest Black Vulture count since 2009. The highest count was 130 in 2016. This species rapidly increased and is now showing signs of a gradual decline. It would be interesting to understand why.
- Mallard: This species continues to decline with 72 reported. Our average is 172. 2014 was the last year when we were around average.
- This year the count had no observations of Black-billed cuckoos (Average is 1) or Yellow-billed Cuckoos (Average is 3).
- Veery: We had 4 observations for Veery, which is the 2nd lowest ever for this species. Average is 11.
- Louisiana Waterthrush: This is the 2nd year that Louisiana Waterthrush has not made an appearance. We suspect that the early season trout stocking and fishing season has put a damper on this species locally.
- Blue-winged Warblers have crashed since 2014. We have had 0 for the last 2 years. Since 2014 there have been 8 zero counts, 2 years with a single bird, and 1 year with 2 birds. Average is 7. This was one of our more common warblers at one time.
- Indigo Bunting: We had 41 observations of this species. Average is 61. This is the lowest count for this species since 1999.
Rarities:
- The Snow Goose from section 10 has been around for at least 2 years. We suspect it is an injured bird that is not able to migrate.
- American Black Duck: One was reported. Our average is 0.
- Magnolia Warbler: Two were reported. Our average is 0.
- Pine Warbler: Four were reported. Our average is 1.
- Hooded Warbler: One was reported. Our average is 0.
- Cerulean Warbler: One was reported along Pickering Creek. Our average is 0.
- Blue Grosbeak: Two were reported. Our average is 1.
- Yellow-breasted Chat: Two were reported. Our average is 1.
- Grasshopper Sparrow: Four sightings from 2 sections were great finds and the highest total ever for the species.
- White-throated Sparrow: Two were reported. Our average is 0.
All results are available here.
