The 49th Wild River Audubon Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 21. This year marked the 125th Anniversary of the first Christmas Bird Count, which is the longest-running formal citizen science project in the nation. It was an overcast and cold day with a high of 16 degrees, but dry weather and light winds made for good birding. Teams of field counters met at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church at 7:30 a.m. before heading out to their respective sections of our 15-mile diameter count circle, which is divided into five zones. This year we had 23 field counters and 11 households watched feeders including some new volunteers!
At the end of the day, we came together for our traditional potluck dinner and tally of the day’s sightings. While several birders commented that there was not a lot of bird activity in general, the combined 48 species seen was a record for our count circle, which had previously had a high count of 47 species in 2007.
While the lakes were frozen, the number of species counted was aided by open water on the St. Croix River and in flowing streams. Waterfowl included good numbers of Canada Geese and Trumpeter Swans, as well as a few Mallards and Common Mergansers. Lingering hardy thrushes, American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds, were found gathered near creeks. A Belted Kingfisher that overwinters on Spring Creek in Wild River State Park also greeted birders with its rattling call. Other birds present whose counterparts have mostly gone south included Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, Rough-legged, and Red-tailed hawks joined American Kestrels, Bald Eagles and Barred Owls in the tally of raptors. Also notable were Brown Creepers seen feeding on suet by three separate feeder watchers.
While there was not a huge push of northern species into our count circle, Purple Finches were reported across all five zones and a few White-winged Crossbills were heard calling along the St. Croix River. Pine Siskins were notably absent and only one Common Redpoll graced a feeder. However, Snow Buntings, which had not been seen in 2023, were reported in four of five zones. To the east of Almelund, a huge mixed flock feeding in agricultural stubble contained not only hundreds of Snow Buntings but also Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks. The Lapland Longspurs, which breed in the High Artic, were a first for our count circle!
Many thanks to Joe Sausen for coordinating the Wild River CBC from 2008-2023! I am happy to take over from him and very much appreciate his assistance in making it a smooth transition. Also, thank you to Sue Leaf for arranging with the church for us to meet there in the morning and for our tally potluck. And a huge thank you to all of our counters afield and at home for contributing to this amazing citizen science project!
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