The Stanton Bird Club conducted its 36th Christmas Bird Count of the Lewiston and Auburn area on Saturday, December 19, 2015. Twenty-four people participated and recorded 51 species; the average since 2000 is 48. There was no snow on the ground and only the shallowest bodies of water were frozen. The grand total of 4,396 individual birds was well below average but higher than last year’s count. The weather was cool, high for the day reached mid 30’s, partly cloudy with snow showers and one snow squall as a front moved through mid-morning.

Overall, waterfowl numbers were low considering there was much open water and warmer than average temperatures. Only 5 Common Loons were found – all at Lake Auburn. Everyone commented about fewer birds found at feeders, likely influenced by lack of snow. For raptors there were ten adult Bald Eagles at various locations however “our” Peregrine Falcon at the Continental Mill was not found for the second year in a row.  The hoped-for winter finches and other winter birds were also not found.

There was one new bird for the count, a Pine Warbler off Webster Corner Rd in Lisbon. Less-often-seen birds included a Belted Kingfisher in Sabattus; a Chipping Sparrow in Lewiston; a Barrows Goldeneye along the Androscoggin River; and a Hermit Thrush in Auburn. Pileated Woodpecker count of 6 was a new high, as were 135 Canada Geese.  Rock Pigeons were high, and Northern Cardinals and American Goldfinch counts were above average.  On the low side, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves and Wild Turkey’s were below average this year.

The full list is:

Canada Goose…………135

American Black Duck…..4

Mallard……………….439

Greater Scaup………….20

Lesser Scaup……………35

Bufflehead……………..20

Common Goldeneye…..39

Barrows Goldeneye…….1

Hooded Merganser……19

Common Merganser……3

Ruffed Grouse………….1

Wild Turkey………….103

Common Loon………….5

Bald Eagle……………..10 (all adults)

Cooper’s Hawk…………2

Red-tailed Hawk………..8

Ring-billed Gull……….257

Herring Gull……………11

Great Black-backed Gull…14 (feeder watch – Taylor Pond)

Rock Pigeon …………….869

Mourning Dove…………151

Belted Kingfisher………….1

Red-bellied Woodpecker….1

Downy Woodpecker………38

Hairy Woodpecker……….18

Pileated Woodpecker………6

Blue Jay………………….51

American Crow…………719

Common Raven……………4

Black-capped Chickadee..333

Tufted Titmouse………….51

Red-breasted Nuthatch……4

White-breasted Nuthatch…42

Brown Creeper…………….3

Golden Crowned Kinglet….3

Hermit Thrush……………..1

American Robin………….12

Northern Mockingbird…….8

European Starling………409

Pine Warbler………………1

American Tree Sparrow….41

Chipping Sparrow…………1

Song Sparrow………………4

White-throated Sparrow……3

Dark-eyed Junco………….88

Northern Cardinal…………51

House Finch………………57

Purple Finch……………….1

Pine Siskin…………………3

American Goldfinch……198

House Sparrow…………..98

51 species and 4396 individual birds.

 

Bald eagle at nest near Gulf Island DamTwo Bald Eagles on nest on the island behind Pat's PizzaA small flock of Wild TurkeysMockingbird on WinterberryHairy WoodpeckerBrown CreeperBoys Club - A group of all Wild Turkey TomsWhite-breasted NuthatchDowny Woodpecker at feederCanada Geese