Carters Lake Christmas Bird Count Summary - December 23, 2023

In memory of  Max Medley

Before we begin this season's summary I want to share a few lines to commemorate the life of Max Medley. As many already know Max passed on the 17th of August at the age of 80. Max had lived in northwest Georgia since the early 2000s. I met him in the winter of 2002 atop the reregulation dam at Carters Lake.  We were scanning the same raft of ducks. That was back when it was extremely unusual to run into another birder in Murray County. He was living in Ellijay at the time, and would later move to Dalton. Max birded Carters Lake and the vicinity heavily for a few decades keeping notes of everything he observed in the field. He was a student of the Natural World, a collector of knowledge, an expert in many fields, but he had a PhD in botany. I'm glad he's finally receiving the attention he deserves for his research on the plants of Georgia and the entire southeast. A google search of his name will guide one to some of his achievements and discoveries as one of the most accomplished botanists in the nation. 

We went on a lot of trips together over the years. He helped me with many projects and was a staple for the Carters Lake Christmas Bird Count until his health began to wane. We had a lot of great times together. He is one of the most unique individuals I've ever had the privilege of knowing. I learned a lot from Max. I could tell many stories from our adventures, of course anyone who ever met him would have something to tell. I think all who have spent time with Max in the field learned something from his vast ability to retain information.  

Max loved data and he loved the Carters Lake CBC. He encouraged me to register the circle with the National Audubon Society. He helped lead teams and was always ready for a day in the field. Fortunately, he was able to participate this season and spent the day with Phil Riner. Phil took the above photo of Max at Fite Bend. He was tired, but still wanted to scan the flooded field for something interesting. 

Thank you Max.

The seventeenth annual Carters Lake Christmas Bird Count was conducted on December 23rd, 2023.  Twenty-eight volunteers participated this season. There was a combined total of  84.97 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 built on the Coosawattee River by the US Army Corps of Engineers for the purpose of flood prevention and hydropower production. It is still managed by this federal agency today. The dam was completed in the mid-1970s. 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

Skies were mostly clear. There was a period of windy conditions in the afternoon with velocities staying between 5 - 10 mph. The high temp was 65° and the predawn low was 31°. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Bob Babcock

Bob, a passionate Georgia birder, has been a valuable participant for the Carters Lake CBC for years. Introduced to the event by his friend, Chris Lambrecht, Bob has become a regular and enthusiastic presence on the count. He has helped with the Dews Pond team for 15 of the last 17 seasons. Bob and Chris have done a wonderful job covering what can be a difficult route as it is the most residential section of the circle. This requires a nonintrusive birding approach and good etiquette to meander through neighborhoods, which are areas just as important as more wilder situations to get an accurate snapshot of what is going on in the circle.

 We are grateful for Bob's dedication and the knowledge he brings to our bird count, helping ensure its continued success.

Chris  Lambrecht

Chris has been birding Georgia since he relocated to Atlanta in the early 1980s. He was introduced to birding at a young age while growing up in Columbus, Ohio. Chris reminisces of always having an Audubon field guide handy for anything that showed up at the bird feeder when he was young. He also remembers having somewhat of a rarity when what he now believes was a Sora came down the chimney one winter while a fire was burning!

He began his birding as an official hobby in Texas when a friend, by the name of Peter Llewellyn, took him under his wing and taught Chris the basics. He had the opportunity to learn from some of the very finest birders in the Houston area.

After moving to Georgia, Chris soon began to lead regular bird walks in Peachtree City, and eventually became the Compiler for the Peachtree City Christmas Bird Count. Chris is still working on his ABA list in the lower 48 states. He has also birded some in Europe, Mexico, the Amazon, Panama, Costa Rica, Canada, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.

Chris has been a faithful participant on the Carters Lake CBC for fifteen counts, only missing a couple of years due to unusual circumstances. He has consistently led the Dews Pond team for years. Thanks Chris.

Stephen Stewart

Stephen is a native of Floyd County, GA, where he began his birding journey at the early age of 6 or 7. He recalls learning every bird in his yard using his handy Golden Guide to Birds of North America. Over the years he amassed over 40 bird field guides.  

Much later, in 1995, Stephen began work on a master's degree in biology at Georgia College.  He needed a thesis and found Dr. Kenneth Saladin, who suggested work on Northern Mockingbirds because of their easy, urban access and high population in the area.  Stephen began a two-year study of mockingbird nesting biology; clutch size, nest success/failure, etc.  It became the largest study of mockingbirds with 131 nests analyzed.  

During this same time he joined the Georgia Ornithological Society and conducted several middle Ga routes for the Breeding Bird Atlas.  He served as GOS Conservation Chair for one term and hosted the GOS conference in Rome in the 1990s.  In the early 2000s, he started the Seven Hills Birdwatchers Club, taught birding at Berry College, and posted a blog on Northwest Georgia birds.  Stephen has also kept a list for Arrowhead Lakes that was passed down to him from Gordon Lee Hight who began the list in the early 1970's. Stephen has been a dedicated participant for the Carters Lake CBC for fifteen counts, only missing a couple of seasons when it was beyond his control. He has helped run routes in several sections of the circle, but mainly in the Taylortown Section where one has to be master pilot to navigate this spaghetti junction of rural roads. He, Ann and Richard have done a great job covering this area year after year. 

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 - Bob Henderson, Donna Wells
Team 2 - Coosawattee WMA - Charlie Muise, Tracey Muise, Allan Muise
Team 3 - Dews Pond - Chris Lambrecht, Bob Babcock, Rosanne Guerra, Irene Rowe
Team 4 - Fite Bend (morning) -  Sandy Pangle, Phil Riner , Max Medley 

Team 5 - Fite Bend  (afternoon)- Mark McShane, Christian Olson 

Team 6 -  Soapstick vicinity - Linda Johns
Team 7 - New Echota/Mashburn Pond - Johnnie Greene                     
Team 8 - Nickelsville - Derrick Ingle, Keeley Ingle, Jase Ingle
Team 9 - Pine Chapel - Dan Vickers, Patrick Maurice, Gabriel Andrle
Team 10 - Salacoa Creek / Ranger - Joel McNeal
Team 11 - Taylortown -  Stephen Stewart, Ann Stewart

Team 12 - Carters Dam area - Carol Payne

Team 13 - Conasauga wetlands - Joshua Spence, Theresa Spence

Team 14 - Holly Creek wetlands (morning) - Derrick Ingle, Mark McShane

Team 15- Predawn Owling Effort - J. Spence
                                                                                                                                                                                     

           
                                             



                 


SPECIES ACCOUNTS

There was a total of 100 species reported on count day. 

Annual birds marked with an asterisk(*).    



CANADA GOOSE numbers were slightly above average at 295 individuals.    * 

WOOD DUCKS were counted in above average numbers this season.  76 birds were tallied. *

 
Only a single NORTHERN SHOVELER was found.

                            
GADWALL, one of our few annual ducks established a new low count for the circle with a single bird being reported. *


This year's 20 MALLARDS established a new low count for our most common marsh dabbler. This is seven less than last year's low total. * 


Only two GREEN-WINGED TEAL were observed this season. 


RING-NECKED DUCK is our only annual diving duck. Five were observed from Carters Dam at dusk. *



HOODED MERGANSERS also set a new low count this season.   Only 2.      *


                         
WILD TURKEY came in with 14 birds which is slightly below average. *

                                            
Three COMMON LOONS were reported from Carters Lake, which is above average.



PIED-BILLED GREBES were found in higher numbers than usual. Fourteen birds total. This is the count's only annual grebe. *  

                                                                                                                                                                                               

This year's total of 161 ROCK PIGEONS is below average.  *

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Four EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were reported this season.

                                                                                                                                                                  
MOURNING DOVES came in at 185. This is better than last year, but still below average. *                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                  
VIRGINIA RAILS (2) were heard at two different sites. This is average for the circle.  

                                                                                                                                                                                        
One SORA was also found at the Holly Creek marsh. This is also average. 


                                                                        
It was a terrible day for SANDHILL CRANE passage.  Only three cranes were reported from the northwest section of the circle.  This obviously sets a new low count for a species that has been annual since the count's inception. *                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
KILLDEER was observed in slightly below average numbers. A total of 304 were reported from around the circle. 


                                                                                                                                                                   
AMERICAN WOODCOCK  was found in low numbers this season. Only five birds! This is atypical for the circle, but somewhat reflects the years where little rainfall is recorded in the months leading up to the count. It is expected that the low numbers are a product of pre-winter drought conditions. *      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
10 WILSON'S SNIPE were reported this year, which is below average for this circle.  
      

Six BONAPARTE'S GULLS and two RING-BILLED GULLS were reported from Carters Lake.


       
                                                                                                        
GREAT BLUE HERONS were reported in below average numbers this season. This year's total of 20 birds is only two above the low count.  *


                                

The BLACK VULTURE total was below average at 71 individuals. * 



The 189 TURKEY VULTURES reported is slightly above average.  *




NORTHERN HARRIERS were found in slightly above average numbers, nine in all.  


Only one SHARP-SHINNED HAWK this year. 


This year's seven COOPER'S HAWKS  were slightly above average for this annual accipiter.  *



BALD EAGLES continue to increase and this year's count resulted in a new high of 13! Surveyors took special attention to location, time, and plumage to ensure no double-counting took place. Great job, team!

                                                                     
RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS  were reported from all sections with a total of 30. This is slightly below average. *

                                                                                                                                          
RED-TAILED HAWK was observed in below average numbers at 34 birds.  *


It was a great year for BARN OWL. Three were reported, which ties with the circle's high count.  



EASTERN SCREECH OWLS were found in below average numbers this year, four in all. *


The GREAT HORNED OWL was found in above average numbers at four individual birds.


                                                                                                                                  
BARRED OWL had an above average showing with a total of ten birds reported, which is the third time that this owl has hit double-digits. *


BELTED KINGFISHERS were found in good numbers this season. Fourteen were reported, which is only three less than the high count for the circle. *                                                                                                                                                  

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS came in at 34 individuals, which is well above average. * 



It was a banner year for RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS. There was a total of 61 reported from around the circle, which established a new high count. This beat the former high count by 19 birds. *     

      

                                                
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were also reported in good numbers, 107 in all. This is well above average for our most common woodpecker.  *




54 DOWNY WOODPECKERS were observed this year, which is above average.  *                                                                                                                                                  
Twenty HAIRY WOODPECKERS were found this season. This is well above average.  *  

                                                                                                                                                                   

The 29 PILEATED WOODPECKERS reported were above average. *


This year's 84 NORTHERN FLICKERS was also above the annual average.  * 



AMERICAN KESTRELS were below average this time with fourteen birds reported. *


                            Eastern Phoebe ~ Patrick Maurice






EASTERN PHOEBES were observed in great numbers.  A new high count of 96 were tallied. This is 13 birds higher than the record set six years earlier.  *   

                                                                                                                                                                      Four LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were reported this season which is slightly above average. 



                                                        Loggerhead Shrike ~ Derrick Ingle





A single BLUE-HEADED VIREO was reported this year.                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                            
This year's total of 258 BLUE JAYS is below the annual average.  *



AMERICAN CROWS were back to their below-average trend, 536 were reported. *



FISH CROWS were found in above average numbers at 31 individuals. 



Two COMMON RAVENS hung around Carters Dam throughout the day and were enjoyed by many birders. This is only the third time that this species has been observed on the count. 



Four HORNED LARKS were tallied this season. 



CAROLINA CHICKADEES were observed in record numbers at 251. This is eight birds more than the high count from four years ago.  *



TUFTED TITMOUSE numbers were above average this season at 159.  *



Both kinglets set new high count records with GOLDEN-CROWNED coming in with 306 individuals and RUBY-CROWNED at 188.  *

                              
                                                Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ Patrick Maurice
                                                                                                                                                                               
The 38 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES  reported were slightly above average for the count. *


                                                  White-breasted Nuthatch ~ Patrick Maurice




BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES were  also above their annual average at 83 total.  *



BROWN CREEPERS were found in below average numbers this year. Four in all. *


We had a total of nine NORTHERN HOUSE WRENS which is slightly above average. 


WINTER WRENS were reported in record numbers, 33 in all. This beats the former high count by three that was set five years earlier. *

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
CAROLINA WRENS were well above average at 223 individuals. This is only the third time that this common species has broke the 200 mark. * 
 


EUROPEAN STARLING continues a decreasing trend here and set a new low count for the circle, only  265 reported. This falls below the former low of 448 that was set two years ago. *


A GRAY CATBIRD was reported, which is the sixth time this species has made an appearance on count day. 


                        
BROWN THRASHERS were found in slightly above average numbers this year.  A total of 33 birds were reported. *



NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS were found in below average numbers, 86 birds in all.  This is the third lowest total since the count's inception.  *



Eastern Bluebird ~ Patrick Maurice


This year's count of 239 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS is below average and the sixth lowest total.  *


                                                                                                                                                                                              
After last year's terribly low showing for HERMIT THRUSH it was back to above average numbers. 46 birds were reported which is the fourth highest total.  * 

                                                                                  
This season's 860 AMERICAN ROBINS is slightly above average.  *





CEDAR WAXWINGS were found in below average numbers at 97. This is the fourth lowest total since the count's inception.  *

 

8 HOUSE SPARROWS were submitted this season. This ties the third lowest total for the count.  * 



AMERICAN PIPIT was back up in the triple digits..... 198 were reported. This is the third highest total.  *


     

The fifty-eight HOUSE FINCHES reported this season were above average for the circle. This was the fourth highest total.   *  




 19 PURPLE FINCHES were counted, which is about average.  


PINE SISKINS were counted in good numbers, their second highest total for the count. Thirty-seven in all. 
                                                                                                         
 
                                                                                                                                            

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH numbers were just slightly above average.  167 were tallied. *  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was reported this season.  This is the first one reported since the first official count 16 years ago. 

                
At 566, CHIPPING SPARROWS were reported in above average numbers.  *




FIELD SPARROW were found in below average numbers again.  Only 73 individuals were reported. *



FOX SPARROWS were above average this season. A total of 39, and as usual most were reported from the Coosawattee WMA. *



The 193 DARK-EYED JUNCOS is the second highest total for this species. *    


                                                      
                                                                                                                               
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were found in low numbers again.  Only twenty birds were reported.  Their average numbers have continued to decrease over the years here. *
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW  numbers were well above average this season. 430 individuals were reported from all sections. This is our fourth highest total to date. *



This year's total of  11 VESPER SPARROWS were slightly above average.  *


Savannah Sparrow ~ Patrick Maurice




This season's 238 SAVANNAH SPARROWS were above average and is the third highest total that we've tallied.   * 

                                                                                                                                                          

The 351 SONG SPARROWS reported were also above average this season.  *


Finally, after expecting a LINCOLN"S SPARROW every year, Team 2 reported the first for the count. They are rare winter visitors in our region, but there should be a few around every season. 



SWAMP SPARROW numbers were up this time. 119 birds were reported from the circle. This is the first time we've had triple digits in five years. *



EASTERN TOWHEES were found in lower numbers this time, 118 in all.  *




This year's 153 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS  is below average.   *   

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD numbers were low. Only 644 birds reported! This total is better than last year, but still the fifth lowest since the count began. *    
                                                                                                                                          
 
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS came in with a total of  140 individuals, which is our third highest total. 

         
Our  RUSTY BLACKBIRD  numbers were low. Only six birds counted.      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
COMMON GRACKLE flocks were basically nonexistent on countday, only 90 birds were reported! This is only 27 above our lowest total that was set four years ago. *

 
Two ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and one COMMON YELLOWTHROAT were recorded this season.
                                                                                                                                                                                                
A total of 28 PALM WARBLERS were counted on this go-around. All were the western subspecies except for one eastern yellow individual.   *   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Pine Warbler ~ Patrick Maurice



PINE WARBLERS were above average at 47 reported. *
   

                                                                                                                                                                   
After last year's total of 194 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS established a new high count for the circle, beating the thirteen year old record, we were shocked when this year's count yielded 411 birds! This obliterated last season's record by 217 individuals! *  

    
    
NORTHERN CARDINALS  were below average this time. A total of 286 were submitted from all sections.  *  

                                                                                                                                                            


                                                                                                                          

COUNT WEEK 



 Two species were reported during count-week. Count-week is defined as
three 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 present
within the circle during the count period.


Lesser Scaup

Horned Grebe


                                                         
 




For more information:

http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count