2011 CBC Results
For the complete results click CBC 2011
Many of the birders observed that some of the species were still present beyond their normal southward migration time and this was probably attributed to the unseasonably warm weather.
Tawas count circle: 44 bird species were observed of which 23 were spotted from backyard feeders. The Canada Goose was the most numerous species with 977 spotted. Most unusual was observing 3 Snowy Owls @ Tawas Point. Also a red-headed woodpecker was observed in the same tree as last year near Sand Lake.
Oscoda count circle: 38 species were observed of which only 9 were spotted @ backyard feeders. The Mallard Duck was the most numerous species with 352 spotted. Most unusual was a common loon spotted on Van Ettan Lake as well as a northern pintail duck.
SINGLE # of a SPECIES found were:
Ruffed Grouse, Common Loon, Northern Harrier, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, and Dark-eyed Junco.
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2010 CBC – some exciting or unusual sightings
We found a Rose-breasted Grosbeak frequenting a feeder.
The annual Christmas Bird Count is done on 2 days. One in the Tawas area and one in the Oscoda Area. In 2009 year we had a few exciting or unusual finds!
We found a Rose-breasted Grosbeak frequenting a feeder.
Also photographed a Great Blue Heron standing in snow at Tuttle Marsh.
A 2nd photograph was taken of a Long-tailed Duck in Tawas Bay near Burger King in T.C.
One snow-loving American Robin was counted.
Only 27 turkeys were seen this year, all in Tawas. None were counted in Oscoda.
Only 1 Red-headed woodpecker was found. It was found in Lakewood Shores. None were counted in the Sand Lake area west of Tawas as in the past.
8 Rough-legged Hawks were counted in Tawas, only one in Oscoda.
Only 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch was found in Oscoda v.s. 38 W.B. Nuthatches. In Tawas, 13 reds and 18 White-breasted nuthatches were seen.
The Grosbeak is the only bird that must be documented in either Count.
It’s the only find classified as a ‘Rare Bird’. 5 of us each saw that bird. We weren’t successful photographing it in at least 4 attempts.
The robin, and the heron, and the Long-tailed duck apparently are found frequently enough in northern Michigan in December so as not to cause excitement at Michigan or National headquarters. No documentation is needed to claim we saw these unusual (to us) birds.
In Oscoda 38 species were found of which the Mallard Duck was the most common. In Tawas 49 species were found of which the Starling was the most common.
