Twenty count circles submitted results for the December 14, 2022-January 5, 2023 Connecticut Christmas Bird Count. A total of 785 field observers and 79 feeder watchers devoted 2,107 party hours and covered 8,200 total party miles in the annual census of early winter birds. In the process, we recorded 173 count day and four count week species (White-winged Dove at New Haven, Brown Pelican at Greenwich-Stamford, Red-headed Woodpecker at Norwich, and Painted Bunting at Napatree). The 270,361 total individuals counted represent a 30-year low total for the state.
Eight species and one subspecies were recorded at 30-year high totals, including Clapper Rail, Common Raven, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and Savannah ‘Ipswich’ Sparrow. Six species were at 30-year low totals (Mute Swan, Wood Duck, Mallard, Long-eared Owl, Cedar Waxwing, and American Goldfinch). Black-chinned Hummingbird at Hartford and Brown Pelican count week at Greenwich-Stamford were new to the 30-year count. The eight rarities this year were the aforementioned White-winged Dove count week, Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Salmon River, Townsend’s Solitaire at Old Lyme-Saybrook, Black-and-white Warbler (2) at Westport, Tennessee Warbler count day at Greenwich-Stamford and count week at New London, Northern Parula at Stratford-Milford, and Yellow Warbler count day and Painted Bunting count week at Napatree.
A 30-year look at some of the taxonomic groups reveals a mixed bag of gains and losses. Waterfowl in lower numbers included Mute Swan, Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Mallard, American Black Duck, Canvasback, and Common Goldeneye, while Brant, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, and Hooded Merganser continue their surges or steady improvements in numbers. Both Rock Pigeon (feral pigeon) and Mourning Dove have been in some decline.
Among shorebirds, Killdeer, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, and Purple Sandpiper were in reduced numbers (and no Red Knots for 15 years, with a mere total of 8 Knots in 30 years), while Black-bellied Plover and American Woodcock were found in comparatively good numbers. Bonaparte’s Gull was missed last year but rebounded with 73 sighted this year. Iceland Gulls were well represented. Ring-billed Gull and Great Black-backed Gull have nose-dived. Common Loons were at third highest total.
Black Vultures continue their northward range extensions, with the second highest total this year. Among diurnal raptors, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, and Red-shouldered Hawk were well represented, while among falcons American Kestrel tallied its highest total in 20 years and Merlin and Peregrine Falcon continued their early winter population growth. Eastern Screech-Owl was at the second lowest total in 30 years, and Barred Owl numbered once again on the high side among the nocturnal raptors.
Woodpeckers continue to thrive, especially Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Pileated Woodpecker. However, Northern Flicker was counted in below average numbers. Monk Parakeets seem unable to get any respect. The corvids included low numbers of Blue Jays and growing numbers of wintering Fish Crows. Common Raven was at a new all-time high count – yet again. Both Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse were down in numbers. Cedar Waxwings ranked tops on the missing avians list, with a mere 382 waxwings counted statewide (13% of last year’s total and 13% of the 30-year average). Winter Wren, Marsh Wren, and Carolina Wren were counted in good numbers.
There has been concern about declining early winter populations of Northern Mockingbird, but this year these many-tongued mimics came in at an 11 year high count. European Starling, a species which has been in precipitous decline, recorded its highest total in 14 years. American Robin, as with all flocking birds, shows great variability in its year to year numbers. This year, robins were at 27% of last year’s total.
Among winter finches, we’ve recorded no Pine Grosbeaks in ten years, no redpolls this year, while Pine Siskin was at its second lowest total, and American Goldfinch set a new 30-year low total statewide. Red Crossbills (21 total) had a modest incursion for the seventh time in thirty years. Sparrows did not fare well, with continued reduced numbers of Field Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow.
One hopes that the 57 Eastern Meadowlarks observed at New Haven, New London, and Norwich represent some rebound for this declining grassland species. Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Common Grackle continue the trend of high year-to-year variability among the flocking birds. This year, their numbers were down again. The Connecticut statewide count recorded 11 wood-warbler species this year, and the 30-year list includes a remarkable 23 warbler species. More and more, we seem to be entering a new period of wood-warblers lingering into early winter in southern New England.
Finally, Northern Cardinal numbers remain fairly consistent from year to year, even though this year’s total was third lowest in the last three decades. Not a source of concern.
The full analysis of the 2022-2023 Connecticut Christmas Bird Count will be published in the October issue of The Connecticut Warbler, along with links to tables and supplemental materials at the ctbirds website.
Steve Broker
Cheshire
[Editor’s Note: The most recent two years of The Connecticut Warbler are available on this website to current COA members who sign in and access the “Members Only” tab. Older issues are offered under “Publications.” A huge thank you to all the CBC participants and especially to Steve Broker for compiling this statewide analysis.]