Bird Population at all Time High
                 by Walter Thurber (compiler)
 

A record 85 people turned out to hike the washes, check the ponds or watch their feeders for the tenth annual Carefree Christmas Bird Count.  The count took place on December 28, 2001 and was conducted in accordance with National Audubon Society guidelines.  The Carefree count covers a designated 15-mile diameter circle (about 177 square miles) centered three miles north of Skyranch Airport. 

The most unusual aspect of the count was that our individual bird total was higher than ever with 12,930 birds tallied, far more than last year.  Our previous record was 10,934 two years ago.  We dropped to just 7,923 individuals last year.  

Last year’s smaller bird population might have been the result of three years of drought across Arizona and elsewhere in the West.  Dry conditions tend to reduce available food supplies, curtail breeding activity and cause some birds to winter elsewhere. 

The dramatic increase in birds this year led to record high totals for 23 species. The most abundant species in the count area was Mourning Dove, followed by Gambel’s Quail, White-crowned Sparrow, House Sparrow and House Finch. On the minus side our hummingbird numbers dropped to near normal levels after being up last year. The titmice and gnatcatchers were down and the warblers plummeted from 42 birds to 2.  Northern birds were scarce this year.  

Our species total (101) equaled the average for the past five years. Common Loon, Dusky Flycatcher, Swamp Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow were listed for the first time, bringing our cumulative total to 143 species. Three species were found for just the second time: Ruddy Duck, Lark Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow.  Eastern Phoebe was missed on the count but discovered during count week. 

Several regulars failed to appear. The following species were recorded at least three times over the past five years but were missed this year: White-throated Swift, Gray Flycatcher, Sage Thrasher, American Pipit, Orange-crowned Warbler, Painted Redstart and Peach-faced Lovebird. Painted Redstart is believed to be wintering at Lower Camp Creek again but I had no recent reports of lovebirds in the count area. 

All Christmas Bird Count results are posted on the National Audubon Society/Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology website at www.birdsource.org.  In delving into the records for the year 2000, I was surprised to find that the Carefree count, despite its low overall numbers, was tops in the state for Great Horned Owl, Violet-green Swallow, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Hermit Thrush, Northern Cardinal and Peach-faced Lovebird. In fact our wren and lovebird totals were the highest anywhere! The only other place reporting Peach-faced Lovebird was Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. 

Here’s a bit of background about the annual bird count.  As much of the United States as possible is covered.  There were 1,533 U.S. counts last year as well as 347 other counts scattered across the Western Hemisphere and Pacific Islands.  There were 30 counts in Arizona alone.  Count circles are broken up into sectors and each of these parts is covered by three to five observers.  Species can be counted by sightings or hearing, but all observers should agree on the species seen or heard. 

People will often ask, “How can you be sure that you are not counting the same birds twice?”  This is always a difficulty.  Observers count only those birds within their well-defined areas.  Generally, rare species are quite well known and they are not a problem.  However, species that are abundant may indeed fly from one area to another during the day and get counted again.  Since this is not an exact science that can be controlled, it is subject to small discrepancies.  Other factors may have a much greater impact such as weather, number of participants, familiarity with the region, etc. 

As to the history of the Carefree Christmas Bird Count, it began with a holiday visit to this area by Richard Beidleman from California.  He organized a small bird counting group from among friends and family, including his in-laws, Jack and Betty Havighurst. Walter Thurber from Scottsdale took over as compiler in 1995. Gradually, and with additional local planning, the count expanded to what it is today.