Local bird counts still seeing some records

Lake Region Audubon Society’s Christmas bird count tally used to lead the nation in purple gallinules and anhingas and occasionally some other species, and the count is still making the record books, according to the recently released summary of the 117th count.

That involved a high count of 540 blue-gray gnatcatchers, a small bird whose Florida breeding population is joined by a much larger number of winter migrants, and a high count of 960 palm warblers, another ubiquitous winter migrant.

The Lake Region count also topped the nation with a couple of exotic waterfowl — black swans and shelducks — from some species released on lakes in downtown Lakeland.

The chance of hitting records has become harder with the increase in the number of counts in new areas of the state.

Nevertheless, local birdwatchers will have an opportunity to make another stab at the record books when the next count occurs Dec. 16 in the Lakeland-Winter Haven area.

The count is open to anyone who wants to venture into the field with a team or simply monitor a birdfeeder at home.

Contact compiler Cole Fredericks at cfredericks@tampabay.rr.com for more information.

Last year, Kissimmee Valley Audubon led the purple gallinule totals with 47 birds.

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary count in southwest Florida had the top anhinga total with 650 birds.

The highest numbers for those species ever recorded on a Lake Region count was 167 and 679, respectively.

Some other counts in the area also reported high numbers last year.

The Avon Park Air Force Range count again led the nation for pine warblers with 600 birds.

The Kissimmee Valley Audubon count, which includes a portion of Poinciana, recorded 30,000 fish crows, another U.S. high count for that year.

The Clermont count recorded seven Western kingbirds.

The Florida leader in high numbers of non-exotic species was Gainesville, which benefits from a corps of experienced birdwatchers and some good habitat.

That count led or tied the national high for 10 species: little blue heron, 2,225; barred owl, 65; Vaux’s swift, 5; whip-poor-will, 4; pileated woodpecker, 168; blue-headed vireo, 60; house wren, 243; black-and-white warbler, 97; yellow-throated warbler, 41; Baltimore oriole, 46.

Some other notable national high counts from Florida included 12,000 white ibis and 11,000 tree swallows in Christmas, which is a new count in eastern Orange County, 122 ruby-throated hummingbirds in Kendall (a Miami suburb), 160 limpkins in Sarasota and 5,000 turkey vultures and 41 painted buntings in Fort Pierce.

The proliferation of non-native species also led to some high counts, including 70 Indian peafowl in Cocoa, 520 mitred parakeets in Kendall and 22 scarlet-fronted parakeets in Dade County.

However, the Florida summary also noted some declines for some species.

Only 114 Northern bobwhites were tallied statewide from only 24 of the 77 counts.

Also, there have been reported major declines in two non-native dove species, the rock pigeon, whose reported numbers dropped 50 percent in the past 15 years, and Eurasian collared dove, which were at the lowest since the species became established here in the 1980s.

Astronomy night

After you count birds, you can head to Colt Creek State Park to count stars and planets during the monthly astronomy night.

The free program, which will offer a presentation on celestial bodies many light years away, will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a chance to go outside and look through telescopes, weather permitting. This is one of the areas of Polk County least affected by urban light pollution.

Colt Creek State Park is located at 16000 State Road 471 off U.S. 98 north of Lakeland. Regular park admission will apply for entrance.

Hikes planned

The Heartland Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, a statewide group that maintains a network of hiking trails throughout the state, is planning two hikes this month.

The hikes are open to the public. Be sure to dress appropriately and to bring water and lunch.

One will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 North U.S. 301, Thonotosassa. Meet at parking lot 3.

The other will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 16 at Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City.

Follow tom Palmer’s environmental musings at www.lakebluescrub. blogspot.com