I did my regular CBC route for the Columbus count today. I have been doing the same route since 1992 and it's always interesting to see the fluctuations over the years. My route covers the Scioto from 5th Ave south to I-670 including the Watermark Quarry, and also the Griggs Dam area.  Highlights today were a good general assortment of waterfowl as Steve Landes already mentioned from his routes. Bigger numbers occur in colder years when there is only limited open water and the open areas of the Scioto attract big concentrations, but at least variety was good today. Unlike Steve further north, I didn't find many Brown Creepers today and wondered where they all were.  Most typical woodland birds were few and far between today except Downy Woodpeckers and C. Chickadee. Starling, Robin, and White-throated Sparrow numbers were below average, probably because there isn't much fruit left in the honeysuckles. Cedar Waxwings and Hermit Thrushes were totally absent today. Having this many coots around at this time of year is unusual here. My previous high count was only 14 way back in 1994, and most years they don't make the CBC at all.  Most of the waterfowl could be seen in the Watermark Quarry and the bike path south of 5th Ave. in case anyone wants to get a quick start on Tuesday for their 2008 lists. This was my highest number ever for Wood Duck, which had only been recorded 3 times before on this CBC route. 


Canada Goose  - 186
Mute Swan - 1
Wood Duck - 8
Gadwall - 6
American Black Duck - 16
Mallard  - 154
Canvasback - 2
Redhead - 5
Ring-necked Duck - 131
Lesser Scaup - 12
Common Goldeneye - 1
Hooded Merganser  - 75
Pied-billed Grebe  - 5
Great Blue Heron  - 12
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
American Coot - 102
Ring-billed Gull  - 461
Herring Gull - 1
Rock Pigeon  - 19
Mourning Dove  - 34
Belted Kingfisher  - 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Downy Woodpecker  - 24
Hairy Woodpecker -1
Blue Jay  - 3
American Crow  - 6
Carolina Chickadee - 69
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2
White-breasted Nuthatch  - 2
Brown Creeper  - 1
Carolina Wren  - 7
American Robin - 77
Northern Mockingbird - 2
European Starling  - 221
Eastern Towhee - 1
Song Sparrow  - 7
White-throated Sparrow  - 110
Dark-eyed Junco  - 8
Northern Cardinal  - 96
House Finch  - 35
American Goldfinch  - 28
House Sparrow  - 182

Bob Royse,
Columbus

Robert Royse
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www.roysephotos.com

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