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2022 Catoctin Christmas Bird Count
Kathy Brown
Frederick Bird Club
(1/2023) December 17, was the 74th year of the Catoctin Christmas Bird Count (CCBC). The CCBC covers a 15-mile diameter circle in north Frederick County with Thurmont as the epicenter. The territory is divided into 8 sectors and includes a few towns and a lot of open country including state, national and local parks, forests, numerous waterways, fisheries and seemingly endless farm fields. The Frederick Bird Club, a chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, has sponsored the Catoctin CBC for many years. It is a very tangible example of citizen science and a great way to enjoy a winter’s day in beautiful northern Frederick County.
On count day the weather was mild and the morning was partly sunny – ideal for winter birding. The teams were all experienced and most knew their territories well. In short, I expected a good day for everyone.
The majority of the birds seen during winter counts are year-round residents, like chickadees, cardinals, hawks, and woodpeckers. By the time of the count, our migrating summer residents, the original "snow-birds," have already headed south for warmer territories with open water and plentiful food. We do enjoy a few winter-only visitors, that migrate from the colder north primarily due to lack of food. Our most common winter visitors are Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows that can be seen at the base of many bird feeders throughout the winter.
My count partner and I began at dawn in the lovely small park at Roddy Covered Bridge. The location has safe parking, a stream, tall trees, berry bushes, open fields and (always appreciated), a clean comfort station. The birds were actively feeding after a long, chilly night. Various woodpeckers, chickadees, Carolina Wrens and goldfinches zipped through the trees making an accurate number count a challenge. But the spot was unusually productive and the day was off to a good start.
We spent the rest of the morning driving and, where possible, walking through our territory. "Counters" count every bird seen and heard, so the ability to ID birds by sound is very important. Some birders are very skilled at sound ID; sadly, I am not one of them. After a quick lunch break, we were off again, but all the birds seemed to have disappeared! The rest of the afternoon was frustratingly unproductive.
Overall, this year’s results were not as good as last year for most bird species. There were good numbers for vultures, pigeons, mockingbirds and two beautiful and appreciated species: Eastern Bluebirds and Cedar Waxwings.
Two years don’t make a trend, so I compared averages for each species for the most current ten years with averages for the prior ten years. Many of our common species show significant population declines and some species are increasingly rare or no longer found in Frederick County. A few species like the Bald Eagle and Common Raven continue to show impressive population gains. The CCBC’s first Bald Eagle was reported in 2001; this year 14 were reported. Ravens were first observed in the 1973 count; this year 29 were sighted.
Red-shouldered Hawks are also doing very well (up 57%), but Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk and American Kestrel numbers are all lower by 35% or more.
The population numbers for our two common winter visitors, Juncos and White-throated Sparrows, are fairly steady, but average numbers for another handsome winter visitor, the White-crowned Sparrow, have declined 66%.
White-crowned Sparrow numbers have declined 66%
Studies show that grassland bird populations in North America have declined by more than 50%. Habitat loss is a probable factor in these declines, particularly agricultural intensification and development. Grassland birds include Bobwhites, Eastern Meadowlark, Ring-necked Pheasant, Northern Harrier, Horned Lark and many sparrow species.
Northern Bobwhite and the non-native Ring-neck Pheasant are no longer found in Frederick County. Results for other grassland birds are mixed, but most resident sparrows show steady population declines.
Looking at the total number of birds seen and/or heard during the count really brings home the loss. This year 9,176 individual birds were counted. The average for the most current 10 years is 9,347; the average for the preceding ten years was 12,351. The overall decline is a sobering 24%.
Many things are contributing to bird population declines including habitat loss, window-strikes, pesticides and herbicides, free-roaming cats and even light pollution. But climate change is now recognized as the biggest ongoing threat to birds – and yes, humans.
This year, a severe drought in the southwest led to the driest two decades in over 1,200 years; extreme heat plagued Europe, China and India; tornadoes and hurricanes were stronger and more frequent; central Appalachia suffered widespread flooding; and the US experienced its most active wildfire season in more than a decade. And without concerted action it will only get worse.
But there is hope. A recent article in Audubon Magazine highlights the expected impact of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest and most comprehensive climate legislation in US history. A total of $369 billion will be invested in energy and climate programs, resulting in an estimated 40% reduction in US green-house emission levels by 2030. Many of us will drive electric cars, buildings and targeted industries will be more energy efficient, and climate-smart agriculture and ranching will reduce emissions and improve carbon storage in soil and trees.
These changes will take time, but there are seven simple actions Audubon encourages everyone to do now to help birds and our planet: make windows safer; keep cats indoors; reduce lawn and use native plants; avoid pesticides; drink shade grown coffee; avoid single use plastic; and join the Citizen Science Effort.
This year I want to add one of my own: Support national, state and local officials who have the courage to make the difficult decisions required if the beautiful world we call home can be preserved for future generations.
If you are interested in learning more about the birds of Frederick County, the Frederick Bird Club www.frederickbirdclub.org and Audubon Society of Central Maryland www.centralaudubon.org welcome guests and new members. Visit their websites to learn about meetings, bird-focused presentations, bird counts, and bird walks and outings throughout the year.
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