White-crowned Sparrow ~ Patrick Maurice
This season marked the fifteenth annual Carters Lake CBC. Twenty-two volunteers helped conduct the count on December 21st, 2021. Our teams traveled a combined 388 miles and reported a total of 11,553 individual birds. There was a combined total of 71.2 party hours spent in the field.
WEATHER
This year's count was cold and wet. There was a light drizzle for most of the day. The high temp was 47° and the predawn low was 37°.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Ann Hall Stewart
Ann is a veteran birder and lifelong resident of Floyd County, GA. She has been committed to the Carters Lake CBC since its inception. Not only is she the only participate who has volunteered on every count over the last fifteen years, she also helped on the trial run. Thank you Ann for all your hard work for sixteen years. We're looking forward to many more.
Allan Muise
I first met Allan Muise in 2010 when he and his parents, Charlie and Tracey, began participating in the Carters Lake CBC. He was six years old when he began counting with us. He's one of the youngest birders to help with the count and went on to become very involved in the birding community on a statewide level. This was his twelfth consecutive year participating in the Carters Lake CBC, and will be his last one for a while. After graduation he enlisted with the US Navy and is currently ranking as a seaman recruit. We will miss him on the upcoming count, but we appreciate all his work over the years and his willingness to serve our nation. Thanks Allan and congratulations.
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TEAMS/PARTICIPANTS
We appreciate all the birders who have volunteered over the years that have made the count a success.
A Christmas Bird Count circle is fifteen miles in diameter(see map below). The area within is separated into sections and assigned to teams to be covered during a 24 hour
period. The surveying effort is conducted mostly by roadside, though there are a number of agencies and private land owners who give us access to properties. Below is the
list of this year's teams in alphabetical order, beginning with the team's leader.
Team 1 - Carters Lake - Bob Henderson, Donna WellsTeam 2 - Coosawattee WMA - Charlie Muise, Tracey Muise, Allan MuiseTeam 3 - Dews Pond - Chris Lambrecht, Bob BabcockTeam 5 - Conasauga Wetlands(morning) - Joshua SpenceTeam 4 - Fite Bend - Mark McShane
Team 6 - Holly Creek(afternoon) - J. Spence, Theresa SpenceTeam 7 - New Echota/Mashburn Pond - Johnnie GreeneTeam 8 - Nickelsville - Georgann Schmalz, Jim SchmalzTeam 9 - Pine Chapel - Dan Vickers, Kris Bisgard, Patrick Maurice, John Patton MossTeam 10 - Salacoa Creek / Ranger - Joel McNeal, Brandy Rogers, Ryleigh RiekertTeam 11 - Taylortown - Stephen Stewart, Ann StewartTeam 12 - Early Owling Effort - J. Spence
GACL circleSPECIES ACCOUNTSThere was a total of 92 species reported on count day.
Annual birds marked with an asterisk(*).Rolling average, which is five year intervals over the last fifteen years, beginning with the most recent period.Example: 2017-2021 average/2012-2016 average/2007-2011 average
CANADA GOOSE numbers were slightly above average. Nine teams reported a total of 312 individuals. Team 6 reported the largest gaggle of the day with 90. *RA - 268 / 254 / 352
Six teams found WOOD DUCKS along their respected routes for a total of 75 birds. This is the third highest total since the count's inception. Most of these(43) were observed by Team 5 at a Conasauga River wetland. *RA - 56 / 51 / 15
GADWALL, one of our annual ducks, was observed in low numbers. Only 11 birds! These were shared between Teams 5 & 6. *RA - 55 / 89 / 50This year's 46 MALLARDS is the fourth lowest total for our most common marsh duck. Team 3 reported 18 of these. *RA - 51 / 81 / 78Team 5 reported a record high count of 70 GREEN-WINGED TEAL from a Conasauga River wetland. This bested the former record high by 14 individuals.RA - 30 / 12 / 4RING-NECKED DUCK is our only annual diving duck. Eighteen were reported this year, which is well below the average of 64. *RA - 19 / 77 / 86HOODED MERGANSERS were also found in below average numbers this season. Only 6 total. Most were observed along the Nickelsville route by Team 8. *RA - 8 / 11 / 23WILD TURKEY were reported from four sections. Sixty-five birds in all, which is above average. Team 10 observed the highest concentration of these along the Salacoa Creek route(26). *RA - 51 / 22 / 28For the first time in eight years, PIED-BILLED GREBES were found in double digits. Eleven birds were shared between teams 1 and 10. This is the count's fourth highest for our only annual grebe. *RA - 6 / 13 / 10Even though this year's total of 183 ROCK PIGEONS is slightly below average, this is the highest showing for this non-native dove in five years. The lower numbers may be the result of nuisance control. These were reported from four routes with most being from Team 1 at Carters Lake. *RA - 132 / 245 / 182Team 8 reported the only EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE of the day. They found a single bird at the along the Nicklesville route.RA - 4 / 7 / 10MOURNING DOVES were found in the lowest numbers in five years and amazingly tied our all-time low of 118 individuals. *RA - 260 / 241 / 270VIRGINIA RAILS (2) were heard at the annual site, the Holly Creek marsh(Team 6).RA - 2 / 3 / 2One SORA was also found by Team 6 at the Holly Creek marsh.RA - 1 / 2 / 1SANDHILL CRANE was absent for the first half of the day with birds clearly staying grounded during the heaviest rainfall. After the rain decreased a few teams observed groups of cranes flying over. This species has a high average on this count (865). This year's total of 634 is lower but still registered as our fourth highest total ever. Team 4 had the highest concentration at Fite Bend(474). *RA - 876 / 1523 / 148KILLDEER were observed in low numbers this go around! A total of 121 were reported from five teams. This is the fourth lowest tally for the count. Team 2 had the majority of these (110) along the Coosawattee route.*RA - 346 / 291 / 307AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found in good numbers this season. Four teams reported 28 birds, which is our sixth highest total! As usual, most were reported by Team 2 from the Coosawattee WMA(12). Team 11 reported nine birds from the Taylortown route. Our continued success in tallying such high numbers is a result of teams strategically staking out annual timberdoodle sites at dusk and dawn to observe their unique crepuscular courtship displays.*RA - 46 / 24 / 6
8 WILSON'S SNIPE were reported this time. Seven were found by Team 10 along the Salacoa Creek route and the other was observed by Team 9 near Pine Chapel.RA - 16 / 103 / 17Team 1 found the only RING-BILLED GULLS of the day. Three at Carters Lake.RA - 6 / 8 / 7COMMON LOON finally made a count-day appearance after six years of misses and count-week birds. Four were observed at the Carters Lake property.RA - 1 / 1 / 3Two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were also observed at Carters Lake. This is average for this circle.RA - 1 / 1 / 3GREAT BLUE HERONS were found in the highest numbers to date. This year's total of 38 birds bested the former high count by four individuals. These were shared between ten teams with highest concentrations at Carters Lake and the Salacoa Creek route. *RA - 29 / 27 / 23Black Vulture ~ Patrick MauriceThe rain definitely kept the vultures on the roost. The BLACK VULTURE total of 38 is the second lowest since the count's inception.RA - 81 / 68 / 146The 12 TURKEY VULTURES reported establishes a new low count for a species that boasts an average of 215! *RA - 151 / 207 / 246NORTHERN HARRIERS were found in good numbers, eight in all. This is the fifth highest total for this raptor. Team 2 counted five along the Coosawattee route and Team 5 had the rest at Fite Bend.RA - 7 / 6 / 4Only one SHARP-SHINNED HAWK this year. A bird was observed coming off the roost at dawn at Fite Bend.RA - 3 / 2 / 2This year's single COOPER'S HAWK established a new low count for this annual accipiter. This bird was observed near Nickelsville perched on a fence post. *RA - 6 / 5 / 6It was another good year for BALD EAGLES. Three teams reported a total of four individuals. Teams 5 and 9 had singles, while two eagles were observed by team 10.RA - 5 / 3 / 1RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were reported from eight sections with a total of 28. This is the lowest tally in seven years. As usual, Team 11 had the highest concentration along the Taylortown route(8).*RA - 42 / 39 / 22
RED-TAILED HAWK was also observed in below average numbers at 34 birds. This is the third lowest tally for the count. The highest route total came from Team 9(8). *RA - 45 / 39 / 44Three BARN OWLS were observed by Team 12. This is the ninth record and establishes a new high count for this permanent yet irregular resident owl.RA - 1 / 1 / 1EASTERN SCREECH OWLS were found in below average numbers this year, three in all (Teams 2 & 12). *RA - 3 / 7 / 5GREAT HORNED OWLS were found in average numbers at three individual birds(Teams 2 & 12).RA - 2 / 4 / 3BARRED OWL had another good year with ten birds being reported. This is only second to last year's high count of fourteen. These were shared among Teams 2, 7 and 12.RA - 9 / 4 / 2BELTED KINGFISHERS were slightly above average numbers. Seven teams reported a total on fourteen birds. Team 10 reported the highest(4).*RA - 12 / 12 / 13RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS came in at 20 birds which is above average. These were reported from seven teams with Teams 5 & 7 reporting the highest concentrations. *RA - 23 / 16 / 6RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were reported from all routes as usual, 73 in all. This is well below average and the fourth lowest since the count's beginning. Teams 3 and 8 reported the highest numbers.*RA - 95 / 106 / 85Also coming in at lower numbers was the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER with 19 individuals. This is the second lowest over the last fifteen years. Teams 9 reported the highest numbers with 5 birds.*RA - 28 / 33 / 2348 DOWNY WOODPECKERS were observed this year, which is about average for this count. Team 2 reported ten birds along the Coosawattee route.*RA - 54 / 50 / 45HAIRY WOODPECKERS were found in decent numbers but slightly below the annual average. Eight birds were reported from four sections with team 10 reporting four of these. *RA - 13 / 9 / 9This year's 49 NORTHERN FLICKERS is below the average. This total is the third lowest since the count's inception. Team 2 reported the highest tally with 13 birds. *RA - 68 / 77 / 49The 21 PILEATED WOODPECKERS reported is our sixth highest. These were reported from seven sections, with Team 11 leading the way with eight individuals.*RA - 21 / 24 / 16AMERICAN KESTRELS were above average. Twenty-three birds were reported from eight routes. This is our fifth highest for this common falcon. Teams 2 & 9 had the highest numbes this season.*
RA - 21 / 21 / 21EASTERN PHOEBES were observed in the lowest numbers in seven years. 49 birds were reported. Team 2 found the highest number at 11. *RA - 71 / 53 / 42Teams 7 & 8 both reported single BLUE-HEADED VIREOS, for a total of two.RA - 2 / 1 / 0
This year's total of 299 BLUE JAYS is the highest in five years. Team 3 led the way with 55 birds reported from the Dews Pond route. *RA - 247 / 382 / 205AMERICAN CROWS continued their below average trend for the sixth year in a row. 428 birds were reported for the count. The largest murders found this season were along the Coosawattee route where team 2 reported a total of 110. Team 5 also reported 77 from the Fite Bend fields.*RA - 422 / 626 / 757CAROLINA CHICKADEES were observed in slightly below average numbers at 163. Team 2 counted the highest concentrations at 45 individuals from the Coosawattee section.*RA - 185 / 183 / 167TUFTED TITMOUSE numbers were also slightly below average this season at 120. Teams 10 & 11 reported the highest concentrations of these. *RA - 114 / 131 / 121
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were terribly low coming in at 16 individuals. This is only three above the all-time low for the count. *RA - 29 / 25 / 32BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were slightly below their annual average at 58. Most were observed by Teams 2 & 10. *RA - 68 / 52 / 71BROWN CREEPERS were found in above average numbers this year. Seven in all, reported from six different teams. *RA - 6 / 5 / 6Six teams reported a total of eleven HOUSE WRENS which is slightly above average. It's only the sixth time that this bird has been reported in double digits on count-day.RA - 10 / 7 / 4Also, slightly above average are the 21 WINTER WRENS that were reported from six different sections. Team 6 reported nine of these.*RA - 21 / 17 / 11One SEDGE WREN was observed by Team 2 this season. This is the eighth count appearance for this secretive little wren.RA - 2 / n/a / n/a
CAROLINA WRENS were above average numbers at 189 individuals. *RA - 191 / 192 / 120This year's 127 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were above average. Ironically, this tied last year's total! Again, Team 10 reported the highest number of these from the Salacoa Creek section.(45!) *RA - 120 / 128 / 61RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were reported in slightly below average numbers, 92 in all. Team 2 had the highest concentration with 22 birds.*RA - 118 / 96 / 93This year's count of 193 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS is the second lowest since the count's inception, so it is well below the average for this common species. Team 2 led the way again this year with 55. *RA - 272 / 258 / 316
HERMIT THRUSH was slightly below average this season with 27 birds. Team 2 boasted the highest total of nine individuals.*RA - 29 / 45 / 24AMERICAN ROBIN came in at 655 this year. Flocks were reported from all routes with a few hitting triple digits. Team 2 observed the highest concentrations with 235 birds reported.*RA - 908 / 1143 / 382After last year's low showing of BROWN THRASHERS they were reported at their second best tally since the count's inception. A total of 45 birds were reported from eight sections, with Team 9 leading the way with the highest number along the Pine Chapel route(9).*RA - 35 / 39 / 17NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was back in the double digits this go around, which is only the fourth time that it has sank below one hundred. 89 birds were reported from all sections. Team 2 observed the highest number, 19 in all. *RA - 101 / 123 / 104448 EUROPEAN STARLINGS were reported. This is the lowest total since the count was registered and falls below the former low of 511 that was established thirteen years ago.*RA - 757 / 1848 / 3467CEDAR WAXWINGS were found in below average numbers this go around. 347 birds were reported from nine sections. Team 9 was the only one to find them in triple digits with 107 reported.*RA - 226 / 637 / 4768 HOUSE SPARROWS were submitted this season. This is below average for this non-native species and the lowest total in eleven years. Team 8 found these near Nicklesville.*RA - 25 / 37 / 19AMERICAN PIPIT established a new high count for the circle this year. 366 were reported from five sections. As usual, the majority were observed at the Fite Bend fields. A safe estimate of at least 320 birds were reported by Team 4 as several groups were observed flying over the fields. This breaks the former record of 316 that was established last season by fifty individuals.*RA - 165 / 86 / 27Slightly below average were the twenty-seven HOUSE FINCHES reported this season. Teams 3 and 11 observed the majority of these.*RA - 47 / 31 / 20Only three PURPLE FINCHES were reported this season. Teams 5 & 10.RA - 17 / 18 / 17
Unlike last season, this wasn't an irruption year for winter finches. The PINE SISKIN came in at only two birds. This is normal for this irregular wintering seed-eating specialist. Team 2 found these in the Coosawattee WMA.RA - 20 / 22 / 3
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH delivered the lowest numbers since the count's beginning fifteen years ago. Seven teams reported a total of 89 birds! This is five individuals below the former low count that was established five years earlier. *RA - 157 / 152 / 185
At 541, CHIPPING SPARROWS were reported in above average numbers. These were reported from eight sections with a few breaking into triple digits. This is the third highest total for this common little sparrow. Team 2 led the way again with 230 birds. Teams 3(149) & 10(117).*RA - 565 / 502 / 376FIELD SPARROWS were below average with 102 reported from eight sections. This is actually the third lowest tally for the count and ironically tied with last year's tally! Team 8 had the highest total at 30. *RA - 112 / 150 / 134FOX SPARROWS came in at their second lowest total since the count began. Only six birds were reported from three sections(Teams 1, 2 and 10). *RA - 23 / 45 / 18After a decent showing last year DARK-EYED JUNCO was back in the double digits again this season. 76 birds were reported from seven routes. The majority were observed from Teams 2(33) and 10(22). *RA - 63 / 122 / 110WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were found in the lowest numbers since this count was registered. Only eleven birds were reported. These came from the annual sites at Pine Chapel(10 birds) and Fite Bend(1 bird). This year's total breaks the prior low count record that was established thirteen years ago!*RA - 24 / 61 / 37
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW numbers were below average this season. 202 individuals were reported from eight sections. Again, Team 11 found the highest concentrations along the Taylortown route at 67. *RA - 195 / 404 / 247This year's total of 33 VESPER SPARROWS breaks a high count record that was set twelve years prior with nineteen birds. Team 2 found at least 27 in pastureland. Teams 1 and 9 shared the others. *RA - 14 / 6 / 10This year's 128 SAVANNAH SPARROWS were below average. These were observed along five routes with Team 3 reporting 60 from the Dews Pond route. *RA - 145 / 175 / 163The 241 SONG SPARROWS reported were also below average this season. Team 2 reported the highest total with 65 birds. *RA - 274 / 395 / 312Swamp Sparrow ~ Patrick MauriceSWAMP SPARROW (92) numbers were low again this season. The highest concentrations were observed by Teams 2(22) and 5(27). *RA - 106 / 149 / 78EASTERN TOWHEES were found in lower numbers this time, 102 in all. This is our fourth lowest tally for this common species. These were reported from all sections with Team 2 leading the way with 20. *RA - 146 / 175 / 76This year's 183 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS is above average. These were reported from seven routes with Team 9 reporting the highest numbers from the Pine Chapel route(90). *RA - 145 / 186 / 185
Six teams reported a total of 464 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. This is well below the annual average for this common species. *RA - 1819 / 4904 / 1260
This was the best results that we've had for RUSTY BLACKBIRD in a while. In fact this year's total of 105 birds is the first time that this species has broken into triple digits in nine years. Teams 5(51) and 9(54) reported these.RA - 46 / 92 / 19
The COMMON GRACKLE total for this season is 2654. which is well below the average. Almost all these were observed at the Fite Bend fields by Team 4. *RA - 5552 / 7806 / 32818After missing it last season, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were back with a total of 98 individuals. All these were reported by Team 3(48) and Team 9(50).RA - 187 / 145 / 8Five COMMON YELLOWTHROATS were reported this season, which is the highest total for this species to date. This is the seventh count record. Teams 3 observed four of these at a wetland along the Dews Pond route and Team 5 had the other.RA - 2 / 1 /1Four teams reported a total of 8 PALM WARBLERS. Team 9 reported the biggest total with four birds. *RA - 15 / 10 / 7Six teams reported twelve PINE WARBLERS. which is the second lowest since the count's inception, only second to the the first year's total of eight! *RA - 38 / 21 / 21Pine Warbler ~ Patrick Maurice
90 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were reported this time around, which is below average. The highest concentrations were found by Team 2(27) and Team 9(32). *RA - 98 / 95 / 119
NORTHERN CARDINALS were slightly above average this time. A total of 339 were submitted from all sections. Team 10 lead the way with 75 birds! *RA - 337 / 407 / 257
COUNT WEEKFOUR species were reported during count-week. Count-week is defined asthree days prior and three days after the actual count day. During these six days,species that were not observed on count day can be reported to the NAS as presentwithin the circle.American Black Duck - 12/23/21 - Carters LakeBufflehead - 12/23/21 - Carters LakeHorned Grebe - 12/18/21 - Carters LakeLoggerhead Shrike - 12/22/21 - Fagala Rd.The Carter's Lake CBC is located in the ridge & valley province of north GA. The fifteen mile diameter circle covers portions of southern Murray County and northeastern Gordon County. The Christmas Bird Count is a winter bird survey that stands as the longest running wildlife census. It is conducted by volunteers. The National Audubon Society has promoted the census for decades. The society and others use the data to determine the health of wild bird populations.For more information:
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