The 13th annual Ulster/Dutchess (NYUD) ChristmasBird Count was conducted on
Wednesday, December 27th under cloudy,damp conditions. The anxiously
anticipated“rainout” fortunately did not materialize and a mild, still day was
appreciatedfor late December. The temperature fluctuatedlittle during the day
with a low of 43 at 4:00 a.m. and reaching a high of 48by midday. Wind was
barely detectableand provided no adverse effects. Therewas absolutely no ice
on any water bodies but with a near full moon and heavyrains recently tides
were exaggerated on the Hudson and water levels high everywhere. The predawn
nocturnal hours were still andovercast with a harmless drizzle that did not
impact owling .
48 birders in 20 field parties along with four feederwatchers contributed in
the ten sectors of the NYUD circle that includes partsof the Towns of Hurley,
Woodstock, Ulster, Kingston, Saugerties, and the Cityof Kingston in Ulster
County, parts of the Towns of Rhinebeck and Red Hook inDutchess County, parts
of the Towns of Clermont and Germantown in ColumbiaCounty, and the tiniest
slice of Greene County near Cementon.
This year 21,298individuals representing 85 specieswere identified on count day
with no additional species for the count week(12/24/23-12/30/23). The NYUD
has averaged84 species/ 18,441 individuals the first 12 years it’s been
conducted. Two new species were added to the compositeNYUD list now standing
at 134 species. A hen Barrow’s Goldeneye observed in Sector I and likely the
same birdthat was a “CW” last year. A GreatEgret was a “great” find in Sector
B and cooperated nicely after discoveryprior to count day.
Also in Sector B were not one but TWO Marsh Wrens observed for the fourth
straight year in roughly thesame location at the Great Vly. Three Red-headed
Woodpeckers part of adeveloping colony were seen again along the Beaverkill in
Sector A. An EasternTowhee also in Sector A, RustyBlackbirds in Sectors A and
G, PurpleFinches in Sectors B and G, a HornedGrebe in Sector E, the count’s
lone SnowGoose and N. Saw-whet Owl inSector J, Gray Catbirds in Sectors Gand H,
and Orange-crowned Warbler andCackling Geese in Sector I were also good
observations.
High counts were set for 15 species; Hooded Merganser, Red-shoulderedHawk,
Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren,Golden-crowned
Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling,Field Sparrow,
Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, and Cardinal. Exceptional
showings from Hooded Merganser(61 /12yr. avg. 25), Golden-crowned Kinglet (84
/12yr. avg. 20), and SavannahSparrow (37 /12 yr. avg. 4) were particularly
noteworthy.
No species experienced low counts.
Winter vagrant wanderers like Snowy Owls, most winterfinches, and rare gulls
went undetected this year.
Another “high count” and truly part of the day’s highlightwas the abundance of
parents with children (some grown) in the field with five suchcombinations.
Equally special was thepresence of five NYDB’s (not yet driving birders).
Many thanks to all who birded, brought food and drink to thecompilation, and
helped clean up too!
Once again a big thanks to our Dean of Ulster CBC’s SteveChorvas who held my
hand and tidied up the data to something even I couldunderstand.
I wish you all a healthy and bird-filled New Year.
Mark DeDea
Co- Compiler Ulster/Dutchess (NYUD) Christmas Bird Count
Save the date: NYUD CBC 2024, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28TH
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