Mountaineer Audubon
Mountaineer Audubon
 Evening Grosbeak Photo © Matt Orsie |
MOUNTAINEER AUDUBON
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Saturday, December 15, 2007 |
|
|
The Mountaineer Audubon Chapter of National Audubon held their annual Christmas Bird Count on December 15. Thirty bird watchers covered an area that is a 15 mile diameter circle with the airport as the center point. The birders tallied 2529 individuals and 58 species of avian fauna. Team leaders surveyed six different areas during the twenty-four hour period. Coordinator LeJay Graffious considers the 59 species a little short of our target goal. He contributes this to weather conditions. The high waters at the beginning of count week dispersed many waterfowl to outside the count area. The mild weather has not forced northern species south into the Morgantown area. A notable increase in the number of Bald Eagles was observed on the count. Five adult eagles and one sub-adult were spotted. Also, this was only the second time in the past twenty-three years that American Kestrels were not seen. Interest in bird watching in Morgantown is growing. Thirty birders participating this year is an increase in interest. All birders from beginner to advance are welcome to assist with the count. In addition to traveling to birding spots, two bird watchers maintained a count at their home feeders that was included in the tally. Coordinator Graffious thanks all of the group leaders, Alan Clark, Emily Grafton, Hillar Klandorf, Bob Burrell and Sue Olcott for their assistance with a successful count. Also, kudos to Gary Felton and John Jacobs for checking out the little covered areas in the count circle. Contact LeJay Graffious at
304-379-4492 or
lejay@frontiernet.net for more information.
|
