The 71st annual Ulster County Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir (NYML) Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted on December 19, 2020. Forty-two (42) participants in eighteen (18) field parties encountered a total of 13, 325 individuals representing 79 species, plus one additional count week species. Compared to our recent past, diversity was one species above our ten-year average (78) and total abundance dipped slightly below 13,805 individuals/count. Our all-time record high count for this circle is 87 species and 22,307 individuals, both recorded in 2017. Birds that typically flock in large numbers and have a significant influence on our abundance number were relatively scarce this year (geese, crows, starlings, robins, etc.). Environmental conditions also influenced the final tally again this year. Clear morning skies with bright sunlight and little to no wind made for reasonably pleasant viewing and listening conditions, despite rather frigid air temperatures ranging from -3° F to 27° F. The challenge this year was negotiating 18” deep snow cover and high roadside snow banks that limited access to some sites, including most roadside pull-off opportunities. Snow-covered cornfields were largely devoid of geese, crows, turkeys, and other associated field birds. Most bodies of still or slow-moving water were frozen solid, including 90% of Stone Ridge Pond, further limiting habitat available to waterfowl. Conversely, extensive deep snow cover provided incentive for a few species to congregate on roadside edges, where they were easy to spot and count. Unprecedented numbers of sparrows, most notably Dark-eyed Juncos, were frequently encountered foraging on plowed roadside shoulders. For the first time in our count history, two lingering Eastern Phoebes were found on count day, one foraging roadside along Fording Place Road in Lomontville, the second at a pond in the Ulster Park Maple Ridge Community. Recorded as single individuals on five previous counts, the roadside flycatcher did not appear to be finding much in the way of sustenance picking at the narrow strip of bare ground. A single Fish Crow was heard vocalizing in New Paltz (6th count record) and a Vesper Sparrow (4th count record) was observed associating with a small flock of sparrows that included two first-winter White-crowned Sparrows along Hurley Mountain Road. Two presumably different Peregrine Falcons (7th count record) were observed, one high in flight over the Rondout area in Kingston, the second perched on a tree overlooking a cornfield on the Hurley Flats. One Northern Saw-whet Owl was our 11th count record, and a Merlin was seen in fading light at the Wiltwyck Golf Course in Kingston for our 12th count record. One Eastern Towhee was seen during the count week period by a feeder-watcher in Ulster Park, but not on count day. New record high counts were established for Common Merganser (63, exceeding 59 recorded in 1973), Cooper’s Hawk (18, eclipsing 16 in 2017), Belted Kingfisher (11, eclipsing 9 in 2012), Common Raven (71, nearly three times the previous high count of 25 in 2015, a remarkable increase for a species that was typically encountered in low single-digits a decade ago), Red-breasted Nuthatch (101, considerably more than the previous record count of 43 in 1987 and our ten-year average of 7/year, accurately reflecting what has been a major irruption of this species into out area this past season). Dark-eyed Junco (3,385, a mega increase from the previous high count of 1,828 in 2016 and our ten-year average of 1,169/year, perhaps highlighting how many individuals are typically missed on a CBC when birds are spread throughout the landscape with no compelling elements to mass in easily accessible areas.). White-throated Sparrow (1,055, eclipsing 1,029 in 2019), Song Sparrow (289, eclipsing 234 in 2019), Northern Cardinal (282, eclipsing 257 in 2014), and Red-winged Blackbird (233, supplanting a 64-year old record 221 established in 1956, largely the result of 190 birds counted at a feeder-watch on Martin Sweedish Road in New Paltz). Irruptive winter finches were relatively few in number and diversity, consisting of Purple Finch (6), Common Redpoll (7), and Pine Siskin (16). One Gray Catbird, one Rusty Blackbird, three (3) Great Blue Herons, sixteen (16) Bald Eagles, and eight (8) Red-shouldered Hawks were tallied on count day. Red-headed Woodpecker was missed for the first time on this count since 2010, and we failed to find any Black Vultures or Turkey Vultures, despite favorable sky conditions. Only one Ring-billed Gull (163 ten-year average) and two Great Black-backed Gulls represented the Laridae family, with Herring Gull missed entirely (186 ten-year average). No species detected on this year's survey set a new record low count. Thanks to all of the field participants and feeder watchers for excellent coverage, commitment, and organization as traditional field party structures were split-up to accommodate and comply with concerns and an altered CBC protocol in this unforgettable and challenging pandemic year. Hopefully the tradition of group field parties and post-count compilations and camaraderie will return in 2021. Next year's Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC is scheduled for the traditional first Saturday of the count period, December 18, 2021. Steve M. ChorvasMohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Compiler
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