Though the idea of bluebirds in December in Leelanau County warrants some skepticism, once again this year, participants of the Lake Leelanau Christmas Bird Count observed Eastern Bluebirds on the Lake Leelanau Christmas Bird Count held in Leelanau County on Dec. 23, 2006.

Two CBC parties observed this species, possibly the same birds, about 1.75 miles apart. Jim Turner and Kate Trainer observed their bluebirds on that day on Honke Rd., not far from Schomberg Rd.. The author of this article observed his bluebirds on Schomberg Rd. about 1.75 miles south of Honke Rd. at the crest of the hill, where the road dips steeply to the south before rising to where Schomberg Rd. meets with Popa Valley Rd. but within 200 yards or so of where he observed about 7 of this species last year

The literature suggests that Christmas Bird Counts began in 1899. Around this time bird observers and scientists became concerned about diminishing bird populations. Accordingly, up until 1900 or so, the tradition was to have a Christmas “Side Hunt”. Outdoor enthusiasts would choose sides and then go into the fields and forests with their guns. Whichever side brought in the most dead birds and mammals “won”.

In 1900, an ornithologist and officer in the recently formed Audubon Society, a man named Frank Chapman, proposed a new Holiday tradition, a “Christmas Bird Census” in which birds would be counted, not killed.

As a result, 25 bird counts involving 27 participants were held that year around Christmas time from Northeastern North America to California. In all, these 27 individuals tallied 90 species and about 18,500 individual birds.

The Christmas Bird Count survey has become the oldest continuous wildlife survey in North America. Single observer counts evolved into a more organized effort wherein groups of people would count birds in a larger area in a single day.

Though the majority of participants still take part in Christmas counts for the fun of it, the sheer scope this Christmas survey has attained has rendered the data collected in this way of some scientific significance. In order to maximize its usefulness in that regard, it is now carried out under specific guidelines.

Each circle, which may not overlap any other circle, is restricted to an area with an exactly 15 mile diameter. Along with recording of the number of birds and bird species, weather variables, the number of counting parties, number and names of participants in each party, the time and distance walking, and the time and distance traveled by auto by each party are all documented.

Counts traditionally end with a convivial gathering at the end of a long birding day at which experiences are compared, field competence is impugned, and old counts recalled while holiday refreshments are consumed.

Lake Leelanau Christmas Bird Count December 23, 2006
Horned Grebe 1
Mute Swan 43
Canada Geese 217
Wood Duck 1
Black Duck 2
Mallard 412
Greater Scaup 1
Lesser Scaup 1
Scaup Species 50
Common Goldeneye 449
Bufflehead 292
Common Merganser 548
Red-breasted Merganser 17
Ruddy Duck CW
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Rough-legged Hawk CW
American Kestrel 2
Ruffed Grouse 2
Wild Turkey 41
Great Blue Heron 1
Bonaparte’s Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 115
Herring Gull 51
Gull Species 22
Rock Pigeon 17
Mourning Dove 111
Barred Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 19
Hairy Woodpecker 11
Pileated Woodpecker CW
Northern Shrike CW
Blue Jay 115
American Crow 1006
Common Raven 5
Black-capped Chickadee 432
Tufted Titmouse 17
White-breasted Nuthatch 28
Red-breasted Nuthatch 10
Brown Creeper 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 6
American Robin 8
European Starling 594
Cedar Waxwing 53
American Tree Sparrow 23
Dark-eyed Junco 48
Northern Cardinal 18
Purple Finch 3
House Finch 43
American Goldfinch 380
House Sparrow 2
48 Species 5239 Individuals Snow Depth few patches

Starting time: 7:45 a.m. Ending time: 4:30 p.m.
Observers Leonard Graf; Barb Graf & Carole Groves; Jo & John Kreag; Jim Turner & Kate Trainer; Norm
Bistodeau; Pat & Ryan O’Connor & Charlie & Kathy Johnson; Bob Carstens.
Weather: A.M: 36-38 degrees Lt. Rain/overcast Wind WSW-W 8-16 mph ..gusts to 20 mph
P.M. 38 degrees Overcast/Lt. rain Wind ….West 14-20 mph gusts to 25 mph
Open Water: West Bay, Good Harbor Bay, 80% Lake Leelanau, 80% Lime Lake, 75% Lttle Traverse Lake
Compiler: Bob Carstens