Beech Creek CBC 27 December 2009

      The Beech Creek Christmas Count, sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve, was conduced on December 27th, 2008. The weather was not entirely cooperative, although the first three hours were dry, if a little windy in exposed places. Light showers gave way to some heavier rain late in the day.

      The total of seventy-four species was on the low side of normal for this count. Most notable was the near complete absence of ducks. This was somewhat puzzling, as Steinhagen Lake has now been back at its normal level for well over a year after a drawdown. But there were no Northern Shovelers or Northern Pintail or Green-winged Teal or Canvasback or Ring-necked Duck, all species we have come to expect. American White Pelicans were back, as were American Coots in large numbers, but there were no gulls or terns.

      We are disappointed if we don't see Bald Eagles on this count. We are reporting two, although there must be, as always on a relatively small lake, some suspicion that two parties may have seen the same bird.

      The bird of the count was undoubtedly a Couch's Kingbird, seen late in the day on County Road 4360 about one mile northeast of FM2992 in Tyler County. This location is just north of the northwest corner of the Beech Creek Unit of the Big Thicket National Preserve. This bird was induced to call, and may well be occupying at winter territory at that location.

Birds Seen: GOOSE, Snow (2); GOOSE, Snow (Blue) (1); DUCK, Wood (6); WIGEON, American (13); MALLARD (2); GREBE, Pied-billed (19); PELICAN, American White (51); CORMORANT, Double-crested (8); CORMORANT, [species] (83); ANHINGA (4); HERON, Great Blue (4); EGRET, Great (21); EGRET, Snowy (8); HERON, Tricolored (1); IBIS, White (4); VULTURE, Black (27); VULTURE, Turkey (59); EAGLE, Bald (2); HARRIER, Northern (2); HAWK, Red-shouldered (3); HAWK, Red-tailed (1); KESTREL, American (8); MOORHEN, Common (7); COOT, American (3780); KILLDEER (10); SANDPIPER, Spotted (2); SNIPE, Wilson's (1); COLLARED-DOVE, Eurasian (12); DOVE, Mourning (7); DOVE, Inca (2); KINGFISHER, Belted (6); WOODPECKER, Red-headed (1); WOODPECKER, Red-bellied (52); SAPSUCKER, Yellow-bellied (9); WOODPECKER, Downy (22); FLICKER, Northern (9); WOODPECKER, Pileated (9); PHOEBE, Eastern (34); KINGBIRD, Couch's (1); VIREO, Blue-headed (1); JAY, Blue (60); CROW, American (101); CHICKADEE, Carolina (80); TITMOUSE, Tufted (21); NUTHATCH, Brown-headed (3); CREEPER, Brown (3); WREN, Carolina (27); WREN, House (3); WREN, Winter (1); WREN, Sedge (3); KINGLET, Golden-crowned (14); KINGLET, Ruby-crowned (99); GNATCATCHER, Blue-gray (10); BLUEBIRD, Eastern (82); ROBIN, American (751); CATBIRD, Gray (2); MOCKINGBIRD, Northern (19); THRASHER, Brown (5); STARLING, European (16); WAXWING, Cedar (75); WARBLER, Orange-crowned (2); WARBLER, Yellow-rumped (71); WARBLER, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) (89); WARBLER, Pine (62); SPARROW, Chipping (246); SPARROW, Savannah (1); SPARROW, Song (9); SPARROW, Lincoln's (11); SPARROW, Swamp (9); SPARROW, White-throated (80); JUNCO, Dark-eyed (1); JUNCO, Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) (21); CARDINAL, Northern (152); BLACKBIRD, Red-winged (254); MEADOWLARK, Eastern (20); GRACKLE, Common (439); GOLDFINCH, American (62); SPARROW, House (12); SPECIES, total (74); Number of Individuals (7210); Number of observers (9); Parties (4); Party-hours total (30.25); Party-miles total (134.45). Participants: Bill Bailey, Bruce Bishop, Kathleen Brown, Sherry Gibson, Rose Ann and Harrison Jordan, Dave Roemer, Jana and John Whittle.                                                                                      John A. Whittle