Homer’s CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT RESULTS 2022
(12-17-22)
The number of species on Count Day was 67, with an additional 7 species seen during count week. The total number, 7,672, was down this year primarily due to the ice accumulation along the northern shoreline of the inner bay, which generally keeps the mallards on the south side of the bay. ROCK SANDPIPERS, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and GREATER SCAUP were the most numerous birds. Fourteen species were represented by only one individual. We didn’t break any records for number of an individual species, but we did tie the record for dark-eyed juncos at 221.
Highlights of this year’s count included: ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, CEDAR WAXWING, ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, HAWK OWL, PEREGRINE FALCON, NORTHERN HARRIER, LINCOLN’S SPARROW and TREE SPARROW. Count Week highlights were BRAMBLING, CANVASBACK and SHORT-EARED OWL.
Thanks to all our volunteers: everyone who helped count (including Feederwatchers); folks who brought food; Dave Erikson the Coordinator/Compiler and Jim Herbert; plus Kathy Eagle, the Feederwatchers Coordinator. A big thanks also goes to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for the use of the I.O. Visitor Center and to Lora Haller and other staff for all their help.
It was A Great Day To Bird!