2020 Wahkiakum Bird Count Results
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By Andrew Emlen
The Wahkiakum Christmas Bird Count circle straddles the Columbia River, including Cathlamet, Puget Island, Elochoman Valley, and parts of the Skamokawa Valleys in Wahkiakum County, Washington; and Westport, Brownsmead, and Knappa in Clatsop County, Oregon. The Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge and most of the Lewis and Clark Refuge are also within the circle.
For the 23rd annual Wahkiakum CBC on December 29, 2020, 19 volunteers counted 60,501 individual birds representing 109 species (there were two additional count week species). This is close to average - pretty good, considering that we had half a dozen fewer participants than usual.
The most abundant species this year was Cackling Goose at 19,750, followed by Greater Scaup (14,531), European Starling (4235), and American Coot (3297). Unusual species include the first White-tailed Kite on the count since 2012.
When I started the Wahkiakum count in 1998 White-tailed Kites had been expanding their range northward and were regular here through the early and mid 2000's, with the population peaking at 11 for the count circle in 2006. Their population in Washington plummeted after the heavy snow of 2008-9, and our numbers for the Wahkiakum count dropped to 4, then 2, then 1 for 2011 and 2012 before they were gone. The present individual can still be found along North Welcome Slough Road, Puget Island, where many birders have gone to view it. Puget Island also had three Turkey Vultures on this year's count - this is the fourth year in a row Turkey Vultures have wintered on Puget Island, after no previous Wahkiakum CBC records.
New high counts were set this year for eight species (for each I have this year's numbers, followed by the previous high count in parentheses):
- Mourning Dove 66 (64)
- Northern Flicker 67 (64)
- Black Phoebe 12 (11)
- Horned Lark 58 (44)
- White-crowned Sparrow 139 (97)
- White-throated Sparrow 9 (6)
- Western Meadowlark 65 (41)
- Brown-headed Cowbird 22 (13)
Notable among these are the large number of "Streaked" Horned Larks. Since this subspecies was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in October 2013, the Army Corps of Engineers has been managing their dredge spoil islands to maintain habitat for the larks, and it appears to be helping them.
Also notable is the increasing number of Black Phoebes, which have been expanding their range northward and have been breeding successfully in Wahkiakum and Clatsop counties in recent years.
2021 Cowlitz County Bird List - February Update
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By Russ Koppendrayer
We're off to a very nice start to the 2021 year list as far as number of species goes. Of the hardy species that overwinter in Cowlitz County in small numbers while most of their compatriots head farther south, we have found more than is typical.
Only one bird has been found so far this year that would be considered a rarity. That would be the juvenile Swainson's Hawk that was seen for three days in the Woodland Bottoms. A species that nests in the grasslands and sagebrush habitats of interior North America, they migrate south for the winter. A few stop as close as Mexico, but the majority spend their time in Argentina and typically begin to return to areas east of the Cascades in April. While not the first record of Swainson's Hawk in western Washington in winter, it was indeed a very surprising find.
As was our individual, I believe all previous winter visitors were birds that hatched the previous spring and apparently have a flaw in their migration instinct. A few birders enjoyed seeing it at any rate and hopefully it survives the winter. As it was after the snow and cold that it was found it may well stand a chance.
Download the pdf here.
Winter lessons for middle school grade
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The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has a program that provides lessons focused on the interactions between humans and wildlife for students in 6th - 8th grade.
“Counting Birds for Science” takes learners into the world of birding and community science. Students explore sighting numbers from the Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, and gather, graph, and analyze data about birds in their area.
This lesson emphasizes the importance of community science for gathering and recording large amounts of data and observing long-term trends. Educators have the option of birding as a one-time lesson or to gather data over time for a more robust student experience. Though the lesson highlights the Christmas Bird Count, the lesson could also be taught in the spring or fall.
The lesson is aligned with Common Core State Standards in math and Next Generation Science Standards in life science. Students record, graph, and analyze data and identify trends based on resource availability and interactions with other species.
"Trafficking Wildlife" lets students explore the multi-billion dollar, illegal industry of wildlife trafficking.
Students take the roles of WDFW detectives and enforcement officers who work to protect regional and international wildlife. Teachers and parents can choose to include a career profile of a WDFW detective. Students read two cases studies of wildlife trafficking in Washington and create their own project informing their community how they can avoid supporting wildlife trafficking practices and help promote the sustainability of wildlife populations.
The lesson encourages critical thinking skills and is rooted in Next Generation Science Standards in life science, as well as Common Core State Standards in writing, and an Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction environment and sustainability standard.
Details are available on the WDFW website.
2021 Cowlitz County Bird List - January Update
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By Russ Koppendrayer
We got off to a typical fine start to our year list as far as the number of species seen.
A bit unusual was the number of species that over winter in small numbers that we usually miss until they begin to return from their winter haunts. Cedar Waxwing would be one of these species that in many years we don't find any until June, but this January we had three reports. The flock found feeding on berries at Lake Sacajawea astoundingly contained an estimated 150 individuals.
All the Code 4 (over 4 records, but less than annual) seen fall into the category of species found nearly every year.
Download the pdf here.
Help protect wild birds from deadly salmonellosis
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Below is a message from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to anyone using backyard bird feeders. More information here.
Recent reports of sick or dead birds at backyard feeders in King, Kitsap, Skagit, Snohomish, and Thurston counties is prompting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to recommend that people temporarily discontinue feeding wild birds or take extra steps to maintain their feeders.
The current die-off of finches- such as pine siskins- as well as other songbirds, is attributed to salmonellosis, a common and usually fatal bird disease caused by the salmonella bacteria, according to WDFW veterinarian Kristin Mansfield.
"When birds flock together in large numbers at feeders, they can transmit the disease through droppings and saliva,” said Mansfield.
The spread of the disease this winter could be exacerbated by what appears to be an “irruption” of winter-roaming finches- an anomaly where finches and other species that generally winter in the boreal forest in Canada and the far north move south and are spotted in areas in larger numbers than non-irruption years. (More information on irruption is available from this National Audubon Society website.)
“The first indication of the disease for bird watchers to look for is often a seemingly tame bird on or near a feeder. The birds become very lethargic, fluff out their feathers, and are easy to approach. This kind of behavior is generally uncommon to birds,” Mansfield said. "Unfortunately, at this point there is very little people can do to treat them. The best course it to leave the birds alone.”
Members of the public can help to stop the spread of salmonellosis by discontinuing backyard bird feeding until
Read more: Help protect wild birds from deadly salmonellosis
Video of a Barn Owl exiting a building
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Mary Duvall, a volunteer for the Cowlitz-Columbia Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 1, 2021, took this video of a Barn Owl exiting the barn at the Whipple Tree Farm east of Clatskanie while Darrel Whipple was entering the other end of the building.
2020 Cowlitz County Bird List - Final Update
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By Russ Koppendrayer
Two species have been added to the list since the last report two months ago. This gives us the most species found in Cowlitz County in one year over the life of this project. The first addition was a Heermann's Gull that was actually seen in mid October, but didn't get through the eBird review in time for the October report. This was the third ever record for the county for this gull that has a strong attachment to salt water. While we have three records, Wahkiakum county just downstream on the Columbia River has only one record and the next county upstream (Clark) has never witnessed this visitor. Heermann's Gull is a handsome mostly gray gull whose favorite foraging technique is to follow Brown Pelicans when they plunge dive on baitfish and take advantage of any fish stirred up or spilled by the pelicans.
The second addition was a White-tailed Kite that appeared for a couple days at Willow Grove. This species has become quite rare anywhere in Washington in the last twelve years. After being well established in the southwest part of the state, their range has regressed southward with the nearest population now in the Tillamook, Oregon area.
As previously stated there is now a new county highest total for species in a year. These 209 species include the three that were new to the county. We added Gray Flycatcher, Siberian Accentor, and American Redstart to our list in 2020.
We'll see what 2021 has to offer for birding excitement and pleasure, and good birding to all.
Download the pdf here.
Winter 2020 Whistler is online
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The Winter 2020 Whistler is available now.
Read more of its content:
- President message: A Chant at Solstice
- Christmas Bird Count are on - see the dates
- Membership Form/regional Bird Festival info
- Children’s Discovery Museum: Discovering a Wonderful World during Covid19
- A quarter-million swifts roosted in Rainier!
Cowlitz-Columbia Christmas Bird Count 2020
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NEW YEARS DAY 2021
Friday, January 1, 2021 Cowlitz -Columbia Christmas Bird Count (3CBC) is the first of the New Year. We will be out for an 8 hour period covering a 15 mile diameter circle looking for any birds that will let us see them.
More details will come later.
To sign up, call Bob Reistroffer 360-751-5595 or
This count will be different because of COVID-19. The guidelines are:
- NO in-person compilation gatherings.
- Social distancing and/or masking are required at all times in the field.
- Carpooling may only occur within existing familiar or social “pod” groups.
- Activities must comply with all current state and municipal COVID-19 guidelines.
HOPE YOU CAN PARTICIPATE 1-1-21 !
Wahkiakum CBC 2020
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The Wahkiakum CBC is still on, December 29, 2020.
There are some national standards for the Christmas Bird Count this year due to Covid-19, which we will follow. Participants should not carpool with people other than their own family group or social pod.
There will be no gathering at the end of the day - participants should submit their data via email. As the Wahkiakum count is generally birding outdoors in a sparsely populated area, the chance of transmitting the virus will be low as long as participants mask up and wash hands for purchasing fuel or food, or are otherwise interacting with others.
Those who wish to participate may contact Andrew Emlen at 360-795-8009.
- Children’s Discovery Museum: Discovering a Wonderful World
- Winter Raptor Survey Slide Presentation
- 2020 Cowlitz County Bird List - October Update
- A quarter-million swifts roosted in Rainier!
- Hummingbirds in Slow Motion
- Vaux's Swifts in Rainier Oregon
- Fall 2020 Whistler is online
- 2020 Cowlitz County Bird List - August Update
- Watch the Video of our Program: Exploring the Waters Of The Pacific Northwest
- 2020 Cowlitz County Bird List - June Update