Turkey Creek CBC 15 December 2008

      The Turkey Creek Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve, was held on December 15th, 2008. While the first two or three hours were conducted in pleasant weather conditions, a strong cold front then passed through much earlier than forecast. The temperature fell sharply, and there was some light rain. Ten observers found 3747 birds of 64 species, totals which are close to the recent averages for this count.

      Osprey was recorded for only the third time on this count, but no Red-tailed Hawks were seen.  This was the first time this species was missed since 1999, but reflects the lack of open country in the count circle. Perhaps not surprising after two major hurricanes in three years, the number of woodpeckers of almost all the resident species were noticeably up. The absence of Loggerhead Shrike again reflects the lack of open country, while missing White-eyed Vireo is less easily explained. Tree Swallows were found for only the second time, as the species seemingly expands in winter in East Texas. White-breasted Nuthatches are very scarce in the area, and it was nice to find one. A large number of Sedge Wrens were perhaps displaced from the hurricane damage habitat along the coast. Missing Blue-gray Gnatcatchers was surprising. We find Hermit Thrushes after missing the species last year. American Pipit and Palm Warbler were new to the count. Eastern Towhees – three of them – were the first in four years, and there was a good variety of sparrows. This count has its unusual features, and we had no European Starlings, no House Sparrows, and no grackles. This was the third consecutive year of no grackles!

Birds seen:  DUCK, Wood (2); GREBE, Pied-billed (2); HERON, Great Blue (3); EGRET, Great (3); EGRET, Snowy (1); VULTURE, Black (42); VULTURE, Turkey (78); OSPREY (2); HAWK, Red-shouldered (7); KESTREL, American (10); COOT, American (3); KILLDEER (71); DOVE, Mourning (63); DOVE, Inca (5); KINGFISHER, Belted (2); WOODPECKER, Red-headed (1); WOODPECKER, Red-bellied (54); SAPSUCKER, Yellow-bellied (15); WOODPECKER, Downy (32); WOODPECKER, Hairy (7); FLICKER, Northern (4); FLICKER, N. (Yellow shafted) (2); WOODPECKER, Pileated (14); PHOEBE, Eastern (19); VIREO, Blue-headed (9); JAY, Blue (66); CROW, American (121); SWALLOW, Tree (5); CHICKADEE, Carolina (112); TITMOUSE, Tufted (44); NUTHATCH, White-breasted (1); NUTHATCH, Brown-headed (5); CREEPER, Brown (4); WREN, Carolina (26); WREN, House (9); WREN, Winter (4); WREN, Sedge (12); KINGLET, Golden-crowned (6); KINGLET, Ruby-crowned (57); BLUEBIRD, Eastern (73); THRUSH, Hermit (5); ROBIN, American (1560); CATBIRD, Gray (4); MOCKINGBIRD, Northern (20); THRASHER, Brown (5); WAXWING, Cedar (202); PIPIT, American (1); WARBLER, Orange-crowned (6); WARBLER, Yellow-rumped (222); WARBLER, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) (28); WARBLER, Pine (79); WARBLER. Palm (1); TOWHEE, Eastern (3); SPARROW, Chipping (241); SPARROW, Savannah (5); SPARROW, LeConte's (1); SPARROW, Song (1); SPARROW, Lincoln's (1); SPARROW, Swamp (10); SPARROW, White-throated (69); JUNCO, Dark-eyed (17); JUNCO, Dark-eyed (Slate-colored.) (8); CARDINAL, Northern (146); MEADOWLARK, Eastern (2); GOLDFINCH, American (114); SPECIES, total (64); INDIVIDUALS, total (3747); Number of observers (10); Number of parties (5); Total Party hours (39.93); Total Party miles (161.6). Participants: Bruce Bishop, Stephanie Burgess, Sherry Gibson, Rose Ann and Harrison Jordan, Steve Mayes, Amy and Dave Roemer, Ken Sztraky, John Whittle.                                                   John A. Whittle