2004 Fermilab Bird Report

Winter

Christmas Bird Count tallies of American Crows

The 2003 Christmas Bird Count again recorded 47 species which included three new species for the Fermilab part of the count; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Peregrine Falcon, and Bufflehead. Also of interest was a record high count Blue Jays despite claims that this species had been badly affected by West Nile Virus. This would argue that factors other than the virus (such as the acorn supply) were more important in determining their abundance in the region. Another species which was supposed to have been adversely affected by the virus, and for which low numbers were recorded in 2002 is the Black-capped Chickadee. Once again this year's count did not support the hypothesis as chickadee numbers were back to normal. On the other hand numbers of American Crows were once again well below historical records and only slightly higher than in 2002.

Long-eared Owls were again present on site this year. Three were found in the village Pines early in the season, but by January only one remained and it was not seen after January 18.

Despite colder temperatures than in recent years, this winter marked the first in which Yellow-rumped Warblers remained on site. They were found regularly throughout December and early January either in the Village Pines or by the Garden Club.

Spring

Long-tailed Duck (Photo from Indiana Audubon Society)

The early spring migration was rather disappointing this year with only small numbers of most species. This was probably largely due to persistant warm winds which quickly moved the birds through the area. There was however, a bright spot on March 24 when the first Fermilab record of Long-tailed Duck was found on Main Ring Lake. This ocean going duck is rarely found inland except where it breeds in the far north.

Late spring was even more disappointing with the fewest passerine migrants that I can recall ever seeing on site. Several admittedly uncommon, but regular species such as Pine Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Canada Warbler were not seen at all this year. Nevertheless, we did find Cattle Egrets in the horse pasture, a Little Blue Heron at Nepese Pond, and a Northern Mockingbird at the Sparrow Hedge.

Summer

Henslow's Sparrow (Photo by Merilee Janusz)

Henslow's Sparrows were once again the highlight of the summer. Not only did they arrive earlier and in larger numbers than ever before, but we also managed to confirm breeding in five separate locations; South Eola rd. (an adult carrying food), North Eola road (two immatures), and at three separate locations along the easten boundary of the site between the south end of A.E. Sea and just north of Batavia rd. They were present at virtually every location on site that they had visited in the past, including the northwest quadrant of ELM-1. This latter observation was particularly interesting as the area had been burnt in the Spring of 2003 and common lore has it that this species will not nest in an area that has been burnt in the past three years.

Grasshopper Sparrows returned to their last remaining stronghold on site, the hill inside the Main Injector ring (ELM-4), but there were again no Upland Sandpipers to be found in ELM-11. Bell's Vireos were hard to find in ELM-14 and Yellow-breasted Chats were not seen on site at all this year.

There were a couple of very surprising records this Summer. On June 21 a very late White-crowned Sparrow was seen outside the Linac gallery, but even more surprising was an immature Rough-legged Hawk which was seen in ELM-24 on August 22 and again on August 24. Normally this is an uncommon (and declining) winter visitor.

Fall

Cackling Goose (Photo by Eric Secker)

This fall marked the first appearance of Cackling Geese records for the site. Its not that they have not been seen on site before its just that they were only recognized this summer. Prior to that they were considered to be particularly small forms of Canada Geese. Because of this there history on site is rather unclear, but it is ceratin that they have become increasingly frequent over the past few years

Despite lower than average water levels on Dusaf Pond and A.E.Sea shorebird migration produced nothing out of the ordinary this year. The warbler, sparrow and waterfowl migrations were also equally uninspiring. However, the season was not totally devoid of interesting sightings. A Merlin put in a brief appearance along the sparrow hedge early in October and later in the month a Tufted Titmouse showed up in the same area. Red-breasted Nuthatches were unusually common this year and a Pine Siskin appeared briefly at the Education Center feeders.