The sixteenth annual Carters Lake Christmas Bird Count was conducted on January 5th, 2023. Sixteen volunteers participated this season. Our teams traveled a combined 303.9 miles and reported a total of 10,490 individual birds. There was a combined total of 53.25 party hours spent in the field.
The Carter's Lake CBC circle(see map below) is located in the ridge & valley ecoregion 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. The National Audubon Society has promoted the census for decades. The data is used to determine the health of wild bird populations.
Our circle is named after the Carters Lake project which is the product of the construction of the tallest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River. This was created by the Army Corps of Engineers and is still managed by this federal agency today. The dam was completed in 1977 and is used to control annual flooding and generate power. The Carters Lake property is over 8000 acres in size, with about 3200 acres of surface water. Its importance to wildlife is substantial.....especially for birds. It is an excellent birding site and has actually been designated as a Georgia IBA(Important Bird Area). WEATHER
The count was scheduled for January 3rd, but due to thunderstorms and tornado warnings it was rescheduled to January 5th. Rescheduling a CBC is very difficult and not suggested except under extreme situations. Unfortunately, this decision disallowed some of our annual counters to participate as it was impossible for everyone to reschedule on such short notice. Hopefully this won't ever happen again.
The precount rainfall did flood several local tributaries. This did impact at least one team's route with flooded roads. There was no precipitation on countday. Skies were clear. There was a period of windy conditions in the afternoon with velocities staying between 5 - 10 mph. The high temp was 61° and the predawn low was 39°.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Daniel F. Vickers
Dan is a veteran birder and lifelong resident of Atlanta, GA. He has been heavily involved in the birding community for decades, serving on committees in the Georgia Ornithological Society and the Atlanta Audubon Society. Many know him best for his wildlife photography, which includes his exhaustive bird photo life list. This doesn't only include GA species, but birds from all across North America, plus some from other continents(South America and Africa). He is one of the top listers in Georgia and works hard to document records, share with and invest in the birding community. His GA life list stands at 399... and he has amazingly captured 395 of these with his cameras. Dan has faithfully participated in the Carters Lake CBC for fifteen consecutive seasons, leading the Pine Chapel team annually. Thanks Dan, for your dedication and your photo contributions over the years.
To enjoy his photography, go here: Dan's photostream
TEAMS/PARTICIPANTS
We appreciate all the birders who have volunteered over the years that have made the count a success.
A CBC circle 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 (morning) - Stephen Stewart, Ann StewartTeam 2 - Coosawattee WMA - Joshua SpenceTeam 3 - Dews Pond(afternoon) - Johnnie GreeneTeam 5 - Conasauga Wetlands - Derrick Ingle, Duncan Beard, Drury GheganTeam 4 - Fite Bend - Derrick Ingle(morning) / Sandy Pangle, Phil Riner (evening)
Team 6 - Soapstick vicinity - Linda JohnsTeam 7 - New Echota/Mashburn Pond - Johnnie GreeneTeam 8 - Nickelsville - Katie Pittman, Jonathan LebermanTeam 9 - Pine Chapel - Dan Vickers, Bob ZarembaTeam 10 - Salacoa Creek / Ranger - Joel McNealTeam 11 - Taylortown - Stephen Stewart, Ann StewartTeam 12 - Early Owling Effort - J. Spence
SPECIES ACCOUNTSThere was a total of 104 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: 2018-2022 average/2013-2017 average/2008-2012 averageTeam 2 found a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE along the Coosawattee route. This is the fourth time this species has made an appearance on count day. The last time was five years ago.CANADA GOOSE numbers were below average. Eight teams reported a total of 176 individuals. Team 2 reported the largest gaggle of the day with 80. *RA - 254 / 248 / 384
Three teams found WOOD DUCKS along their respected routes for a total of ten birds. This is the lowest total in six years and well below average. These were shared amongst teams 5, 9 and 10. *RA - 45 / 53 / 17Team 4 observed a single NORTHERN SHOVELER hen at the flooded Fite Bend fields. This is below average for this somewhat regular species for the count.RA - 1 / 15 / 9
GADWALL, one of our annual ducks, was observed in low numbers. Only 13 birds! Most were reported between Teams 2 & 9. *RA - 39 / 90 / 63This year's 27 MALLARDS established a new low count for our most common marsh duck. This is only four birds lower than the prior low count that was established two years ago. Team 9 reported 16 of these along the Pine Chapel route. *RA - 40 / 75 / 93A single AMERICAN BLACK DUCK was observed by Team 2. This is the seventh count day appearance for this species of special conservation concern.Team 4 reported 17 GREEN-WINGED TEAL from Fite Bend. This is one of the few ducks that has experienced a consistent increase over the years.RA - 31 / 12 / 5Team 11 found a pair of REDHEADS on the Taylortown route. This is the fourth count dayappearance for this diver. The last time was seven years ago!RING-NECKED DUCK is our only annual diving duck. Four were reported this year, which is well below the average. It ties for our third lowest count to date. Team 2 found these in a flooded field. *RA - 11 / 80 / 90A pair of BUFFLEHEADS were also observed in this flooded field. This is only the fifthtime that this species has made a count day appearance, which seem very odd.RA - 2 / 0 / 1HOODED MERGANSERS were also found in below average numbers this season. Only 6 total. Most were observed by Team 10. *RA - 6 / 7 / 23WILD TURKEY was reported from two sections. Six birds in all, which is below average. Teams 9 and 10 shared these. *RA - 42 / 31 / 29Pied-billed Grebe ~ Dan VickersPIED-BILLED GREBES were found by three teams. Seven birds total. This is the count's only annual grebe. *RA - 6 / 9 / 22A single HORNED GREBE was observed at Carters Lake in the afternoon. This is the eighth count day appearance for this irregular species.This year's total of 113 ROCK PIGEONS is below average. These were reported from six routes with most(47) being reported from the Dews Pond section. *RA - 121 / 239 / 217Team 3 reported the only EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES of the day, three in all.RA - 5 / 3 / 14It was another low year for MOURNING DOVES at 114 reported. This time the total actually dropped below the prior low count by four individual birds. The largest concentration was observed at Fite Bend with 34. *RA - 222 / 259 / 250VIRGINIA RAILS (2) were heard at the annual site, the Holly Creek marsh(Team 12).RA - 2 / 3 / 2One SORA was also found at the Holly Creek marsh by Team 12.RA - 1 / 2 / 2It was a decent day for SANDHILL CRANE passage. This species has a high average on this count (842). This year's total of 727 is lower but still registered as our fourth highest total ever. Team 9 had the highest concentration along the Pine Chapel route(483). *RA - 1016 / 1469 / 202KILLDEER were observed in very high numbers this go around! A total of 597 were reported from seven teams. This is the third highest tally for the count. Team 9 had the majority of these (472) along the Pine Chapel route.*RA - 426 / 249 / 359Team 4 found a dozen LEAST SANDPIPERS at Fite Bend. This is the sixth count day appearance by this irregular wintering species.AMERICAN WOODCOCK was found in good numbers this season. Six teams reported 31 birds, which is our fifth highest total! As usual, most were reported by Team 2 from the Coosawattee WMA(15). 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 - 41 / 30 / 10
55 WILSON'S SNIPE were reported from four sections. This is above average for this circle. Team 10 led the way with 22 birds reported.RA - 20 / 110 / 15A FORSTER'S TERN was observed at Carters Lake in the afternoon. This is only the second time that this species has shown up on the count. There are very few winter records for this bird in north Georgia.A single COMMON LOON was also observed on the Carters Lake reservoir in the afternoon. This species has been sporadic over the last sixteen years. It has had eight count day appearances, five count week tics and three total misses.Team 1 found the only DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT of the day at Carters Lake.RA - 1 / 1 / 3GREAT BLUE HERONS were reported in below average numbers this season. This year's total of 19 birds is only one individual above the low count. These were shared between eight teams with highest concentrations along the Pine Chapel and Salacoa Creek routes. *RA - 26 / 27 / 26
The BLACK VULTURE total was slightly below average and ironically the third time that this species has tallied exactly 82 birds for the count!!! This is the sixth highest tally since the count's inception. This year's largest concentration was along the Coosawattee route(34). *RA - 83 / 70 / 117The 147 TURKEY VULTURES reported is slightly below average. This year's largest concentration was along the Dews Pond route(47). *RA - 156 / 187 / 230NORTHERN HARRIERS were found in average numbers, six in all. These were shared between Teams 2, 4, 9 and 10.RA - 7 / 6 / 5Only one SHARP-SHINNED HAWK this year. A bird was observed along the Pine Chapel route by Team 9.RA - 3 / 3 / 2This year's three COOPER'S HAWKS were below average for this annual accipiter. These were shared between Teams 3, 4 and 10. *RA - 5 / 6 / 6It was another good year for BALD EAGLES. Three teams reported a total of five individuals. One bird was observed at Carters Lake in the afternoon. Teams 9 and 10 observed doubles along their routes. .RA - 5 / 4 / 1RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were reported from all sections with a total of 36. This is slightly above average. Teams 8 and 10 had the highest concentrations of these.*RA - 42 / 38 / 25
RED-TAILED HAWK was observed in below average numbers at 30 birds. This ties the 117th season for the second lowest tally for this common buteo. The highest route total came from Team 11(8). *RA - 40 / 39 / 48A single BARN OWL was observed by Team 2. This is the ninth count day tic for this permanent yet irregular resident owl.EASTERN SCREECH OWLS were found in below average numbers this year, four in all from three sections. *RA - 3 / 7 / 4The GREAT HORNED OWL was found in average numbers at three individual birds(Team 12).RA - 2 / 3 / 3BARRED OWL had a slightly below average showing with a total of five birds reported. These were shared among Teams 2, 9 and 12.RA - 9 / 4 / 2BELTED KINGFISHERS were found in high numbers this season. Six teams reported a total on seventeen birds. This tied the high count that was established thirteen years earlier. Team 10 reported the highest(6) concentration of these.*RA - 13 / 12 / 14Also coming in at lower numbers was the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER with 16 individuals. This actually establishes a new low count for the circle, falling under by only one bird. The previous low was established thirteen years earlier. *RA - 27 / 30 / 27RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS came in at 9 birds which is below average. These were reported from four teams with Team 9 reporting the most(9). *RA - 20 / 15 / 11RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were reported from all routes as usual, 64 in all. This is well below average and the second lowest total since the count's beginning. Teams 9 and 10 reported the highest numbers.*RA - 85 / 97 / 10736 DOWNY WOODPECKERS were observed this year, which is the second lowest tally since the count's inception. This is only three birds above the all time low. This species was reported from all sections with Teams 9 & 10 leading the way.*RA - 53 / 43 / 52Seven HAIRY WOODPECKERS were found this season. This is the lowest number in eight years and the third lowest total. These were reported from three different teams. *RA - 13 / 9 / 10The 15 PILEATED WOODPECKERS reported is our fourth lowest total. These were reported from seven teams. *RA - 20 / 21 / 21This year's 44 NORTHERN FLICKERS is below the average. This total is the third lowest. Team 10 reported the highest tally with 22 birds. *RA - 65 / 70 / 62AMERICAN KESTRELS were about average. Twenty birds were reported from eight teams. This is our fifth highest for this common falcon. Teams 8 & 9 had the highest numbers this season.*
RA - 21 / 20 / 22There were two MERLINS reported this season. Teams 4 and 9 both had singles. This is the ninth count day appearance for this irregular falcon.EASTERN PHOEBES were observed in the lowest numbers in eight years. 47 birds were reported. Team 10 found the highest number at 17. *RA - 64 / 56 / 49After missing LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE on countday last season it was nice to have them back at both of the regular sites, Pine Chapel Rd. and Fagala Rd. Teams 8 & 9 both had singles for a total of two birds.RA - 2 / 2 / 3
This year's total of 203 BLUE JAYS is below the fifteen year average. Team 8 led the way with 58 birds reported from the Nickelsville route. *RA - 241 / 340 / 265AMERICAN CROWS were found in their highest numbers in seven years. An above average of 683 were reported for the count and consequently this is our fifth highest total. Three different routes tallied them in triple digits. Coosawattee(141), Fite Bend(133) and Pine Chapel(173).*RA - 460 / 561 / 817After totally missing FISH CROW last season they were observed in record numbers this go-around. Team 10 had a huge murder coming off a roost at dawn and was able to get video footage. After closer inspection of the video it was confirmed that at least 230 birds were on this roost at Salacoa Creek Park. Not only is this a new high count for this circle but appears to be a new high for North Georgia's Mountain Region. Four other teams added a few more for a grand total of 238 total!Fish Crow ~ Joel McNealCAROLINA CHICKADEES were observed in slightly below average numbers at 174. Team 10 counted the highest concentrations at 68 individuals from the Salacoa Creek section.*RA - 183 / 179 / 185TUFTED TITMOUSE numbers were also slightly below average this season at 108. Team 10 reported the highest concentrations of these(35). *RA - 112 / 119 / 139HORNED LARKS were reported in their second highest total since the count's beginning. Eighteen were found at the Fite Bend fields by Team 4. This is the ninth time that this species has been tallied on count day.RA - 5 / 3 / 6This year's 160 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were above average, and consequently the second highest total. Again, Team 10 reported the highest number of these from the Salacoa Creek section(91!). *RA - 123 / 137 / 76RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were reported in slightly above average numbers, 111 in all. Team 10 had 29 birds. Teams 2 and 11 both reported 22 each. *RA - 114 / 105 / 98
After their absence last season RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were found at the Salacoa Creek Park by Team 10(6), which is above average.RA - 6 / 1 / 1The 29 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES reported were average for the count. Teams 1 and 10 found the most. *RA - 30 / 23 / 33BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were slightly below their annual average at 55 total birds. Most were observed by Teams 1, 2 & 10. *RA - 67 / 49 / 77Brown Creeper ~ Dan VickersBROWN CREEPERS were found in average numbers this year. Five in all, reported from three different teams(2, 9, 10). *RA - 5 / 5 / 6Three teams reported a total of eleven HOUSE WRENS which is slightly above average. It's only the seventh time that this species has been reported in double digits on count-day. Team 2 found the most(7).RA - 9 / 9 / 4Also, slightly above average are the 19 WINTER WRENS that were reported from four different sections. Team 2 reported eleven of these.*RA - 20 / 19 / 12One SEDGE WREN was heard by Team 9. This is the eighth count day appearance for this secretive little wren.
CAROLINA WRENS were just slightly below average at 163 individuals. *RA - 190 / 186 / 145779 EUROPEAN STARLINGS were reported. This is below average.*RA - 794 / 1551 / 3710BROWN THRASHERS were slightly below average numbers this year. A total of 24 birds were reported from six sections, with Team 9 leading the way(14).*RA - 31 / 40 / 20NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD were found in slightly below average numbers. 106 birds were reported from all sections. Team 9 observed the highest number, 35 in all. *RA - 101 / 116 / 117This year's count of 236 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS is the fifth lowest. Team 3 led the way this year with 38 birds. *RA - 270 / 246 / 332
The HERMIT THRUSH was scarce this season. Only nine birds were reported from six teams. This total is only one bird more than the all-time low count, which consequently is the lowest tally in fifteen years! *RA - 21 / 42 / 35AMERICAN ROBIN came in at 139 this year. Small flocks were reported from a ten teams. This is the second lowest lowest total for one of out most abundant species. *RA - 871 / 863 / 717Not only were CEDAR WAXWINGS found in below average numbers, but this year's total set a new low count for this flocking species. Only sixteen birds were reported from four teams. This is twenty-six individuals less than the former low count that was established fifteen years prior. *RA - 208 / 538 / 58733 HOUSE SPARROWS were submitted this season. This is the fifth highest tally for this non-native species and is slightly above average. Team 8 found the majority of these near Nicklesville(23).*RA - 20 / 43 / 24After two consecutive years of high numbers the AMERICAN PIPIT was back down in the double digits. 42 were reported from four sections. As usual, the majority(29) were observed at the Fite Bend fields. *RA - 150 / 92 / 40The thirty-one HOUSE FINCHES reported this season were about average for the circle. These were reported from six teams. *RA - 40 / 34 / 2325 PURPLE FINCHES were reported from five sections. This is slightly above average for this circle.RA - 21 / 12 / 24
RED CROSSBILL made its third appearance on the count. At least two individuals were heard in the large tract coniferous forests of the Coosawattee WMA (Team 2).
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH numbers were below average again. Eight teams reported a total of 101 birds. Team 1 reported the highest concentration at Carters Lake(39). *RA - 127 / 153 / 194There was a single LAPLAND LONGSPUR confirmed at Fite Bend by Team 4. This is the sixth count day appearance for this rare winter visitor.
At 206, CHIPPING SPARROWS were reported in the lowest numbers since the count's inception. This is 66 less than the prior low count that was established six years ago. These were reported from eight sections. Team 10 led the way with 83 birds. *RA - 446 / 589 / 390FIELD SPARROW also established a new low count. Only 51 individuals were reported. This fell under the former low that was set six years earlier by 18 birds. *RA - 105 / 133 / 145FOX SPARROWS were above average this season. Five teams reported a total of 42, and as usual most were reported from the Coosawattee WMA(31). *RA - 28 / 43 / 16Ironically, DARK-EYED JUNCO was reported in the exact same number as they were last season!!! Only 76 birds were reported from four sections. The majority were observed from Teams 1(30) and 10(35). *RA - 69 / 101 / 94WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were found in low numbers again. Only seventeen birds were reported. These came from the annual sites at Pine Chapel(7 birds) and Fite Bend(10 birds). This is the second lowest total, only six birds behind last year's low count. *RA - 23 / 45 / 49
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW numbers were below average this season. 178 individuals were reported from eight sections. This is our second lowest total to date. Team 9 found the highest concentrations along the Pine Chapel route at 88 birds. *RA - 181 / 351 / 281This year's total of 14 VESPER SPARROWS were slightly above average. Team 4 found at least 11 at the Fite Bend fields. Teams 8 and 9 shared the others. *RA - 15 / 6 / 8A single LECONTE'S SPARROW was flushed by Team 2 in the Coosawattee WMA. This is the third time that this rare secretive Ammospiza sparrow has made an appearance on our count. This is also an excellent record for north Georgia.This season's 125 SAVANNAH SPARROWS were also below average. These were observed along six routes with Team 9 reporting 65. *RA - 140 / 151 / 203The 183 SONG SPARROWS reported were also below average this season. This is our second lowest total to date. Team 10 reported the highest total with 48 birds. *RA - 247 / 354 / 343SWAMP SPARROW numbers were down again this season. 68 birds were reported from seven sections. The highest concentrations were observed by Teams 2(21). *RA - 83 / 138 / 113EASTERN TOWHEES were found in lower numbers this time, 114 in all. These were reported from all sections with Team 9 leading the way with 40. *RA - 133 / 167 / 105This year's 97 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS is our third lowest total. These were reported from seven routes with Team 8 reporting the highest numbers from the Nickelsville route(34). *RA - 123 / 157 / 239
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RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD numbers were the lowest we've ever seen! Only 160 birds reported! This total falls 83 individuals below the former low count that was established fourteen years ago. *RA - 1574 / 5094 / 1008
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS came in with a total of 117 individuals. Most of these were reported by Team 3(57) and Team 9(52).RA - 209 / 146 / 8Our RUSTY BLACKBIRD numbers were also low. Team 4 found the only ones for the day at Fite Bend. Only seven birds.RA - 45 / 21 / 92
The COMMON GRACKLE total for this season is 2457, which is well below the average. *RA - 6003 / 7810 / 30,600Four teams reported a total of 10 PALM WARBLERS. Team 8 reported the most with five birds. *RA - 12 / 13 / 7Six teams reported thirty PINE WARBLERS, which is slightly above average. Team 1 found the highest concentration at Carters Lake(13). *RA - 36 / 24 / 24This year's total of 194 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS established a new high count for the circle. This beat the former record that was set thirteen years earlier by only two! The highest concentrations were found by Team 7(52) and Team 10(63). *RA - 102 / 100 / 145
NORTHERN CARDINALS were below average this time. A total of 277 were submitted from all sections. Team 8 lead the way with 77 birds! *RA - 294 / 371 / 257
COUNT WEEKTwo 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 during the count period.Canvasback - 1/7/23 - Mashburn PondCommon Yellowthroat - 1/7/23 - Fite BendFor more information:
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