The Northampton Christmas Count is one of the nation's oldest and most revered counts.

Within the Northampton Count Circle there are numerous areas. One of these areas is simply known as "Area 30" or Haydenville. Since 1995 it has been the domain of Bob Packard and friends. In 2000 Bob was in Mexico and the Northampton Bird Club was asked to cover the area for him. Some may recall - this was the day of lightening, sideways rain, heavy fog, localized flooding, sudden 20 degree temperature swings, and hail. A tradition for the NBWC was born.

A Guide to "Area 30"

A The Northernmost tip of the area includes the Whately Wildlife Management. Here one hopes for Ruffed Grouse, Cedar Waxwings, Bluebirds, Robins and even Belted Kingfisher and Carolina Wren like in 2004.

B If the water is open at the Mountain Street Reservoir we have our best chance for waterfowl - mainly Canada Geese, Hooded Megansers, Black Ducks and maybe a Canvasback like back in 1999, but it is usually frozen over by count time. This is also our best chance for Red-breasted Nuthatches and Brown Creepers.

C Just south of the reservoir is a diverse area which includes several habitats. There are corn stubble fields, wooded swamps, woodlands, wetlands, marshes, streams, and grass fields. In 2002 this area was explored late in the day with several good sightings including Swamp Sparrow, Turkey, Flicker, and a fly-by immature Bald Eagle. In 2004 there was a Fox Sparrow.

D The vast wilderness area of Shingle and Davis Hills are explored by Bob begining at dawn. In the past he has found Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush.

E The old railroad bed along Route 9 and the neighborhood of Haydenville are good places to tally up feeder birds or even a Screech-owl like in 2004.

F Just to the south of Haydenville is Beaver Brook Golf Course. Here one hopes for almost anything, but usually ends up with just a few bluebirds.

G North Farms Road is a good location for Pileated Woodpecker and feeder birds. A Chipping Sparrow discovered in 2003.

This link has more information on the count including a map of the entire count circle and summaries of species seen on the count http://hampshirebirdclub.org/CBC/index.html

This link has search engine for all Christmas Counts http://cbc.audubon.org/cbccurrent/current_table.html

RECORDS FOR Area 30 (since 1995)

Cumulative number of species seen: 67
Most species seen during one count: 48 in 2006.
Fewest number of species seen in one count: 21 in 2000.
Most individual birds seen during one count: 2,249 in 2006.
Most individual birds per species seen during one count: 715 Robins in 2006, 263 Cedar Waxwings in 1997, 261 Robins in 2004, 252 Canada Geese in 1998, 247 Chickadees in 2004, 230 Starlings in 2006, and 225 Juncos in 2004.
Species of which only a single bird has been seen through the years: Great Blue Heron (2003), Canvasback (1999), Common Merganser (2001), Bald Eagle (2002), Ring-necked Pheasant (2004), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (2002), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2002), Field Sparrow (1998), Chipping Sparrow (2003), Red-winged Blackbird (1997), and Purple Finch (2003).
Yet to be seen: Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, American Kestrel, Winter Wren, Common Grackle, Savannah Sparrow....

The table below shows the results of 11 years of Christmas Bird Counts in Haydenville. The first column (#) shows how many of the past 11 counts the species was seen in. High Counts are highlighted in GREEN. Those birds highlighted in YELLOW are those seen only on one count.

#
Bird
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
 
No. Species
34
32
30
37
34
21
42
40
37
38
38
48
 
No. Individuals
577
836
773
1065
881
375
638
816
1031
1589
930
2249
4
Canada Goose
      
252
          
36
6
31
8
American Black Duck
5
14
1
  
2
  
9
  
2
  
7
13
4
Mallard
  
20
    
4
  
6
        
3
1
Duck Species
                
1
      
1
Canvasback
        
1
              
4
Hooded Merganser
      
4
3
  
5
        
10
2
Common Merganser
            
1
        
10
1
Ring-necked Pheasant
                  
1
    
7
Ruffed Grouse
  
1
  
3
2
  
3
    
14
1
1
4
Wild Turkey
9
            
1
  
11
  
2
1
Great Blue Heron
                
1
      
1
Bald Eagle
              
1
        
7
Sharp-shinned Hawk
  
1
1
      
1
1
1
1
  
2
3
Cooper's Hawk
          
2
  
1
      
1
11
Red-tailed Hawk
1
2
  
2
2
1
3
5
3
3
2
4
2
Ring-Billed Gull
            
1
1
        
7
Herring Gull
19
8
  
4
    
1
1
  
5
  
7
2
Great Black-backed Gull
1
9
                    
3
Gull Species
4
            
3
3
      
12
Rock Pigeon
48
16
40
24
38
4
20
6
4
10
9
23
12
Mourning Dove
46
40
14
20
92
20
18
64
68
94
201
68
2
Eastern Screech-owl
                  
1
1
  
8
Great Horned Owl
      
2
3
  
1
1
5
3
1
3
5
Barred Owl
      
1
1
  
1
      
1
3
3
Northern Saw-whet Owl
      
3
            
1
1
4
Belted Kingfisher
            
1
    
1
2
2
8
Red-bellied Woodpecker
    
1
1
    
2
1
3
5
3
6
1
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
              
1
        
12
Downy Woodpecker
7
7
7
10
8
1
11
8
12
33
22
27
12
Hairy Woodpecker
2
1
2
3
4
1
6
5
5
3
10
5
5
Northern Flicker
    
2
2
  
1
  
1
      
3
7
Pileated Woodpecker
2
      
4
  
4
1
2
3
  
2
2
Northern Shrike
1
    
1
                
12
Blue Jay
30
37
50
21
36
12
41
60
66
40
60
91
12
American Crow
38
33
35
32
32
24
56
52
48
74
40
79
2
Common Raven
            
1
        
4
12
Black-Capped Chickadee
44
88
93
50
80
17
73
84
124
247
114
122
11
Tufted Titmouse
8
7
7
3
9
  
22
11
16
45
32
35
11
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
2
2
5
3
4
  
1
2
8
2
20
2
12
White-Breasted Nuthatch
5
11
8
8
4
1
19
19
26
27
28
24
7
Brown Creeper
  
4
2
1
    
2
  
2
  
13
5
5
Carolina Wren
            
1
2
  
8
1
7
9
Golden-Crowned Kinglet
2
9
  
13
7
  
27
6
14
21
  
10
1
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
            
1
          
11
Eastern Bluebird
6
3
6
  
13
12
19
17
3
39
9
24
3
Hermit Thrush
              
1
    
1
1
12
American Robin
16
95
48
54
92
2
25
1
14
261
31
715
10
Northern Mockingbird
2
1
  
1
4
  
5
2
2
5
2
2
12
European Starling
116
140
27
133
106
88
75
215
149
69
73
230
12
Cedar Waxwing
34
120
263
212
210
99
52
22
57
68
14
192
12
American Tree Sparrow
18
8
20
42
63
11
19
28
36
45
35
21
1
Chipping Sparrow
                
1
      
1
Field Sparrow
      
1
                
2
Fox Sparrow
                  
1
1
  
10
Song Sparrow
1
  
1
2
3
  
3
5
4
10
6
15
3
Swamp Sparrow
              
2
    
4
1
11
White-throated Sparrow
1
19
  
7
2
16
8
12
9
12
10
16
12
Dark-Eyed Junco
18
67
48
53
20
49
23
58
121
225
76
191
12
Northern Cardinal
11
6
5
3
8
1
23
12
20
39
20
29
1
Red-winged Blackbird
    
1
                  
5
Brown-Headed Cowbird
  
1
  
6
    
1
    
1
  
1
1
Pine Grosbeak
18
                      
1
Purple Finch
                
1
      
8
House Finch
14
20
8
14
12
  
13
16
      
9
4
Common Redpoll
    
5
  
3
      
35
  
1
  
2
Pine Siskin
    
1
          
2
      
12
American Goldfinch
4
23
47
58
3
1
34
75
156
52
56
183
2
Evening Grosbeak
13
  
15
                  
11
House Sparrow
31
23
10
16
6
12
  
12
7
74
16
13

 

#
Mammal
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
  Total # of Species
3
3
3
2
3
  
1
6
4
6
3
7
  Total # of Individuals
7
7
4
5
11
  
3
11
28
25
9
19
11
 Gray Squirrel
4
2
1
2
4
  
3
1
20
12
3
9
2
 "Black" Squirrel                    
1
1
10
 Red Squirrel
1
4
2
3
4
    
2
5
6
2
3
2
 Chipmunk  
1
          
2
        
1
 Mouse species              
1
        
1
 Peromyscus sp.-                      
1
6
 Eastern Cottontail    
1
  
3
    
1
1
4
  
1
1
 BOBCAT                    
1
  
1
 Mink              
1
        
2
 Opossum                  
1
  
1
1
 Skunk                      
1
1
 Racoon                  
1
    
2
 Porcupine                  
1
  
1
4
 White-tailed Deer
2
            
3
2
    
1

Area 30 Narrative Summaries

December 17, 2006 Sunday

Weather: It was mostly cloudy throughout the day. Overnight it was in the low thirties. The morning was cold with a damp chill in the air, but eventually it warmed up into the 50s later in the day.

Participants: Bob Packard, Bruce Hart, Ilene Goldstein, Bill Packard, Kevin Weir, Doug Wheat, Chris Gentes and Heather McQueen.

This was a memorable count in that we set a new high species number of 48! The previous high was 42 set in 2001! We also smashed the high for individual birds. The new total is 2449 breaking the old high of 1589 set in 2004. This was due in large part to the 715 Robins we tallied. For the second year in a row we were unable to add a new species to the area list.

OWLING: Bob was the lone owler this year. He tallied 3 Barred, 3 Great Horned and 1 Saw-whet (mainly along Mountain Street).

Right before dawn Bob, Bruce, Ilene, Chris and Heather met at the reservoir. The reservoir was ice-free, the first time in many years. They saw 10 Hooded Mergansers, a pair of Kingfishers, Brown Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatches. All of these birds can sometimes be difficult to find - it was a sign of good things to come.

Bob, Bruce and Irene then headed to Haydenville to cover their usual route through the wilds of Williamsburg. They had good numbers of the expected species - and also picked up a Hermit Thrush in the same spot they saw one the year before.

Chris and Heather met up with Doug and Kevin. Starting at Bill Benner's house (which he had stocked with plenty of bird seed) Heather and Kevin walked the road to the Whately WMA while Chris and Doug drove ahead to roam around the WMA. In Bill's yard Heather saw a pair of Turkeys, Carolina Wren, Raven, and a Flicker. At the WMA there were no grouse.

Next the quartet of birders walked around 3 miles - from the reservoir, to the transfer station and back through the woods. They didn't see anything too unusual but continued to tally up the chickadees, creepers and titmice. Back near the swamp Kevin located a Swamp Sparrow.

Later in the afternoon everyone met at the reservoir and we tallied up 41 - just 1 short of the record. Then Bob's brother Bill (who had been birding up on North Farms Road) joined us and said he had just seen a Mallard. We realized we hadn't counted the Hoodies and that brought us to 43! a new record. Then Kevin (who had just left) drove back - he had found a few black ducks in the little swamp up the road. That put us up to 44.

From Bob - "After lunch on the reservoir we found some Canada Geese and Common Mergansers, and a Cooper's Hawk flew over the fields on Mt. St. Late in the day some Chickadees and Juncos were scolding what I was sure was an owl at the Whately WMA. But when I got in to the white pine grove a Ruffed Grouse flushed from the tree for #48."

Canada Goose-31
American Black Duck-13
Mallard-3
Hooded Merganser-10 NEW HIGH FOR AREA Highest on count
Common Merganser-10 NEW HIGH FOR AREA Second Time Seen in Area
Ruffed Grouse-1 Highest on count
Wild Turkey-2
Sharp-shinned Hawk-2 NEW HIGH FOR AREA Highest on count
Cooper's Hawk-1
Red-tailed Hawk-4
Herring Gull-7 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Rock Pigeon-23
Mourning Dove-68
Great Horned Owl-3
Barred Owl-3 NEW HIGH FOR AREA Highest on count
Northern Saw-whet Owl-1Highest on count
Belted Kingfisher-2
Red-bellied Woodpecker-6 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Downy Woodpecker-27
Hairy Woodpecker-5
Northern Flicker-3 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Pileated Woodpecker-2
Blue Jay-91 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
American Crow-79 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Common Raven-4 NEW HIGH FOR AREA Highest on count
Black-Capped Chickadee-122
Tufted Titmouse-35
Red-Breasted Nuthatch-2
White-Breasted Nuthatch-24
Brown Creeper-5
Carolina Wren-7
Golden-Crowned Kinglet-10
Eastern Bluebird-24
Hermit Thrush-1
American Robin-715 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Northern Mockingbird-2
European Starling-230 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Cedar Waxwing-192
American Tree Sparrow-21
Song Sparrow-15 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Swamp Sparrow-1
White-throated Sparrow-16
Dark-Eyed Junco-191
Northern Cardinal-29
Brown-Headed Cowbird-1
House Finch-9
American Goldfinch-183 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
House Sparrow-13

MAMMELS

Virginia Opossum-1Second Time Seen in Area
Eastern Cottontail-1
Gray Squirrel-10 (one Black morph)
Red Squirrel-3
White-tailed Deer-1
Striped Skunk-1 NEW FOR AREA
Porcupine-1 Second Time Seen in Area
Peromyscus sp.-1

December 18, 2005 Sunday

Participants: Bob Packard, Bruce Hart, Ilene Goldstein, Bill Packard, Larry Therrien, Kevin Weir and Doug Wheat.

We ended up with 38 species and 930 individuals seen which is just about average. Chris & Heather missed this year's count and Bruce hurt his foot, so some of the regular routes weren't covered this year. Still it was a pretty good count overall with 4 owl species seen. The Kellogg St. Screech-owl didn't respond, but a 'new' one was located in Whately. The Saw-whet & Barred Owls were near the Reservoir. Larry covered the WMA where he located a Hermit Thrush and Ruffed Grouse. There were 13! Brown Creepers - a bird we usually miss. Bill Benner has moved into our area and we staked out his feeder where we saw a Fox Sparrow. Five Swamp Sparrows were seen - a new high for our area. At least three at the Mountain St. swamp and two at the little shrub swamp across from the reservoir entrance along the snowmobile trail.

A FIRST RECORD for all Northampton Christmas Counts was a BOBCAT. Doug spotted it crossing Mountain Street at the big stream at 9AM. It slithered down into the swamp and flushed a bunch of birds, including a Swamp Sparrow. No mammels were out at night. Kevin found the area's first "Black" Squirrel near the dump.

Canada Goose -6
American Black Duck -7
Northern Saw-whet Owl -1
Barred Owl -1
Eastern Screech-owl -1 Second Time Seen in Area
Great-horned Owl -1
Red-tailed Hawk-2
Ruffed Grouse-1
Mourning Dove -201 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Rock Pigeon -9
Belted Kingfisher -2 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Downy Woodpecker -22
Hairy Woodpecker -10 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Red-Bellied Woodpecker -3
American Crow -35
Blue Jay -60
American Robin -40
Hermit Thrush -1 Second Time Seen in Area
Eastern Bluebird -9
Mockingbird -2
Carolina Wren -1
Black-Capped Chickadee -114
Tufted Titmouse -32
Brown Creeper -13 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
White-breasted Nuthatch -28 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Red-Breasted Nuthatch -20 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
European Starling-73
Cedar Waxwing -14
Northern Cardinal -20
Fox Sparrow -1 Second Time Seen in Area
Tree Sparrow -35
White-throated Sparrow -10
Swamp Sparrow -4 NEW HIGH FOR AREA Second Time Seen in Area
Song Sparrow -6
Junco -76
American Goldfinch -56
Common Redpoll -1
House Sparrow -16

MAMMELS
Gray Squirrel-5
Black Squirrel-1 First for Area 30
Red Squirrel-2
BOBCAT-1New for Northampton Count Circle

December 19, 2004 Sunday

Participants: Bob Packard, Bruce Hart, Ilene Goldstein, Louisa, Bill Packard, Jonathan Gottsche, Shelley Parker, Larry Therrien, Kevin Weir, Heather McQueen, and Chris Gentes.

We ended up with 37 species which is just about average. Getting 40 in Area 30 is a real challenge. The reservoir was frozen solid. No winter finches this year.

OWLING RESULT: Bob started owling at midnight. Although conditions seemed perfect - a clear cold moonless night - he didn't get any owls, but did see a few cottontails, a racoon and a 'possum. Heather and Chris arrived at 5 a.m. and heard a Great Horned Owl calling near the driving range. This year instead of heading up the ridge they continued owling. Over near Kellogg Road they had the area's first SCREECH-OWL. It swooped in and buzzed Heather before perching nearby. They continued looking for more screech-owls, but didn't find any. They met up with Bob and Bruce at the reservoir at 6:30 am - two more Great Horned Owls were calling there.

DAYTIME RESULTS: Bob, Bruce, Ilene and Louisa headed up over Shingle and Davis Hills at dawn. They tallied 27 species including 3 Grouse, 1 Turkey, 1 Pileated, 6 Carolina Wrens, and 9 Golden-crowned Kinglets.

Meanwhile Chris and Heather explored the Nungee Swamp area. They had 25 species including 90 Robins, 45 Waxwings, and the area's first FOX SPARROW.

Larry covered the northern part of the region including Whately WMA and tallied 22 species. He got the area's first RING-NECKED PHEASANT. He also had a fly-by Kingfisher, a Carolina Wren, 10 Ruffed Grouse, and 47 Chickadees. At the reservoir he got the sure-bet Red-breasted Nuthatches and saw 10 Turkeys in a field off Mountain St.

Jonathan and Shelley were covering Kellogg Street to Hatfield Road. They counted 17 species including 11 Downy and 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 42 Chickadees, 12 Tufties, 14 Bluebirds and 64 Juncos.

Bill meanwhile was up on North Farms Road where he picked up 17 species including 2 Pileated Woodpeckers.

Jon, Shelley, Chris and Heather met up with Kevin at 11 a.m. at the town offices. They walked through the town of Haydenville checking all the feeders. They had 17 species - but missed House Finch for the second count in a row. They added 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets, and 69 Robins.

Everyone met up at the Reservoir at 1 p.m. to compare notes. Brown Creeper, House Finch and Black Duck were the most wanted birds. Bruce, ilene and Bob continued on to the Reservoir Swamp but only found 4 species. Things weren't much better at the golf course where Jon, Shelley, Kevin, Chris and Heather roamed about only seeing 10 species and a porcupine. The final bird of the day was a Sharp-shinned Hawk.

NOTABLE MISSES: BLACK DUCK, FLICKER, CREEPER, HOUSE FINCH.

Canada Goose-36 All flying overhead
Sharp-shinned Hawk-1 Golf Course
Red-tailed Hawk-3
Ruffed Grouse-14 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
RING-NECKED PHEASANT-1 NEW FOR AREA
Wild Turkey-11 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Herring Gull-5 Flying overhead
Rock Pigeon-10
Mourning Dove-94 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Great Horned Owl-3
EASTERN SCREECH-OWL-1 NEW FOR AREA
Belted Kingfisher-1 Flyby at Whately WMA
Red-bellied Woodpecker-5 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Downy Woodpecker-33 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Hairy Woodpecker-3
Pileated Woodpecker-3
Blue Jay-40
American Crow-74 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Black-cap. Chicakadee-247 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Tufted Titmouse-45
Red-breasted Nuthatch-2
White-b. Nuthatch-27 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Golden-crowned Kinglet-21
Carolina Wren-8 NEW HIGH FOR AREA First seen 2001 in Area
Eastern Bluebird-39 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
American Robin-261 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
Northern Mockingbird-5
Cedar Waxwing-68
Eastern Starling-69
Northern Cardinal-39 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
American Tree Sparrow-45
Song Sparrow-10 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
FOX SPARROW-1 NEW FOR AREA
White-throated Sparrow-12
Dark-eyed Junco-225 NEW HIGH FOR AREA
American Goldfinch-52
House Sparrow-74 NEW HIGH FOR AREA

Mammals:
Gray Squirrel-12
Red Squirrel-6
Eastern Cottontail-4
Opossum-1 NEW FOR AREA
Racoon-1 NEW FOR AREA
Porcupine-1 NEW FOR AREA

December 14, 2003 Sunday

Participants: Bob Packard, Bruce Hart, Bill Packard, Jonathan Gottsche, Shelley Parker, Larry Therrien, Marty Espinola, Heather McQueen, and Chris Gentes.

We saw 35 species - third highest for the area. Three new species were added: Great Blue Heron, Chipping Sparrow and Purple Finch. This was the second count that Pine Siskins were seen, and the third that Common Redpolls were. It was the second highest total of individual birds seen with 1026. The highest was 1065 in 1998.


The 2003 count in Haydenville started cold and clear. Clouds moved in overnight and a snow storm was expected anytime between 11am and 3pm. Bob began owling at half past Midnight and tallied 2 Great-horned Owls. At 6am Chris and Heather began their walk up the ridge off Route 9 where they heard 3 Great-horned Owls. At dawn Bob and Bruce began their six hour hike through the hills of Haydenville. They tallied many birds including the first PURPLE FINCH for the area. Also seen were 2 PINE SISKINS and 35 COMMON REDPOLLS - new highs for both species. Bill covered Route 9 and North Farms Road where he observed the first CHIPPING SPARROW for the area. At 9am Shelley and Jonathan joined Chris and Heather at the Golf Course. They headed to the frozen reservoir where they tallied the only waterfowl of the day - 2 Black Ducks feeding under the spillway. At 10am Larry joined the group. He covered Mountain Street to Haydenville where he picked up good numbers of feeder birds, Cedar Waxwings, and a Red-tailed Hawk. Chris, Heather, Jon and Shelly then went to Whately where they dipped on Grouse but picked up Song Sparrow and Golden-crowned Kinglets. At Noon Bob and Bruce emerged from the woods and met up with everyone. A search of the corn fields area near the reservoir yielded no new birds. By 1pm the snow had started. Unfortunately by the time Marty arrived at 1:30pm the snow was really coming down - so he headed home, as had everyone else except Bob: "I checked the swampy stream below the reservoir during the snowstorm. Beautiful in the falling snow. Flushed a GREAT-BLUE HERON twice, and found 3 Bluebirds eating holly berries. One overturned root mass contained a dozen tree sparrows and 5 juncos hiding in it. I always wondered where they go in blizzards."

Great Blue Heron-1 imm. new species
Black Duck-2
Sharp-shinned Hawk-1
Red-tailed Hawk-3
Gull sp.-3
Rock Dove-4 ties low
Mourning Dove-68
Great Horned Owl-5 new high
Red-bellied Woodpecker-3 new high
Downy Woodpecker-12-new high
Hairy Woodpecker-5
Pileated Woodpecker-2
Blue Jay-66 new high
American Crow-48
Black-capped Chickadee-124 new high
Tufted Titmouse-16
Red-breasted Nuthatch-8 new high
White-breasted Nuthatch-26 new high
Brown Creeper-2
Golden-crowned Kinglet-14
Eastern Bluebird-3
American Robin-14
Northern Mockingbird-2
Starling-149
Cedar Waxwing-57
Tree Sparrow-36
Chipping Sparrow-1 new species
Song Sparrow-4
White-throated Sparrow-9
Junco-121 new high
Cardinal-20 new high
Purple Finch-1 new species
Common Redpoll-35 new high
Pine Siskin-2 new high
American Goldfinch-156 new high
House Sparrow-7

Mammals
Gray Squirrel-20 new high
Red Squirrel-5
Cottontail-1
White-tailed Deer-2

MISSES - Grouse, Turkey (many tracks seen in snow), Flicker (two seen day before), House Finch.

December 15, 2002 Sunday
Results for Entire Northampton Circle -- 2002

Participants: Bob Packard, Bruce Hart, Ilene Goldstein, Bill Packard, Stefan Rayer, Heather McQueen, and Chris Gentes.

We observed 39 species - second highest for Williamsburg. Not bad considering that the major bodies of water were frozen solid. An unidentified duck was heard quacking at one spot. This year we had excellent coverage. Bob, Bruce, and Ilene went owling and took their traditional trek over the mountain, while Chris and Heather went in from Route 9 onto the ridge and golf course. Meanwhile Stefan was at The Whately Wildlife Management Area and Bill Packard checked out North Farms Road. The afternoon was spent searching for birds near the reservoir - this proved to be very productive. Afternoon birds in this area included flicker, turkey, bald eagle, and swamp sparrow.

New species to the area: Bald Eagle (1), Hermit Thrush (1), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1) and Swamp Sparrow (2).

New high counts for the area: Red-tailed Hawk (5), Blue Jay (60), Carolina Wren (2), Song Sparrow (5), and American Goldfinch (75).

Here is the complete list:

Bald Eagle 1 - New for Williamsburg
Cooper's Hawk 1
Sharp-shined Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 5 - High count for Williamsburg
Wild Turkey 1
Herring Gull 1
Ring-Billed Gull 1
Gull species 3
Rock Dove 6
Mourning Dove 64
Great-horned Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 5
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker 1 Only one seen on count - New for Williamsburg
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 60 - High count for Williamsburg
American Crow 52
Black-Capped Chickadee 84 - Highest on count
Tufted Titmouse 11
Red-Breasted Nuthatch 2 - Tied for highest on count
White-Breasted Nuthatch 19 - Tied for high count for Williamsburg
Golden-Crowned Kinglet 6
Carolina Wren 2 - High count for Williamsburg
Eastern Bluebird 17
American Robin 1 - Low numbers on Count
Hermit Thrush 1 - New for Williamsburg
Northern Mockingbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 22
Eastern Starling 215 - High count for Williamsburg
Northern Cardinal 12
American Tree Sparrow 28
Song Sparrow 5 - High count for Williamsburg
Swamp Sparrow 2 - New for Williamsburg
White-throated Sparrow 12
Dark-Eyed Junco 58
House Finch 16
American Goldfinch 75 - High count for Williamsburg
House Sparrow 12

Total # of birds 819


Red Squirrel-2
Gray Squirrel-1
Chipmunk-2 - High count for Williamsburg
mouse-1
Cottontail-1
Whitetail-3
Mink-1- New for Williamsburg
Total-7 species-new high!


December 16, 2001, Sunday

Participants included: Heather McQueen, Doug Wheat, Elizabeth Broadwater, Shelly Parker, Jonathan Gottsche, Bill Sweet, two of Bob's friends and Chris Gentes.

We set a NEW RECORD for his area, 42 Total species! This included three new birds for the area - Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Belted Kingfisher. We also set new total number seen for a few species including Eastern Bluebird, and we set area high counts for the whole circle with Hooded Merganser, Pileated Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Ruffed Grouse. 

Here is the complete list:

Regularly seen (in Williamsburg during Count)
Am. Black Duck 9
Mallard 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Ruffed Grouse 3  HIGH COUNT out of 6 seen in entire Northampton circle
Herring Gull 1
Rock Dove 20
Mourning Dove 18
Great-horned Owl 1
Barred Owl 1
Red-Bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 11
Hairy Woodpecker 6
Pileated Woodpecker 4  High Count for Williamsburg area  HIGH COUNT out of 10 seen in entire Noho circle
Blue Jay 41
American Crow 56
Black-capped Chickadee 73
Tufted Titmouse 22
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-Breasted Nuthatch 19
Brown Creeper 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 27 HIGH COUNT out of 131 seen in entire Northampton circle
Eastern Bluebird 28  New High Count total for Williamsburg area
American Robin 24
Northern Mockingbird 5
Cedar Waxwing  52
European Starling  75
Northern Cardinal  23
American Tree Sparrow  19
Song Sparrow  3
White-throated Sparrow  8
Dark-eyed Junco 23
House Finch  13
American Goldfinch  34

NOT SEEN EVERY YEAR (in Williamsburg during Count)
Common Merganser  1
Hooded Merganser 5  High Count for Williamsburg area  HIGH COUNT out of 8 seen in entire Noho circle
Ring-Billed Gull  1
Belted Kingfisher  1  NEW FOR WILLIAMSBURG (22 seen in Northampton Circle)
Northern Raven  1
Carolina Wren  1  NEW FOR WILLIAMSBURG (21 seen in Northampton Circle)
Brown-headed Cowbird  1 

WRITE-INS
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1  NEW FOR WILLIAMSBURG  (4 seen in Northampton Circle)

MISSES
Here are our missed birds that are regularly occurring in Williamsburg for the count. 
Canada Goose
Wild Turkey
Saw-whet Owl
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow #*%*@#!

THANKS TO EVERYONE! Weather permitting, next year we are shooting for 45!!!!

December 18, 2000

Observers: Jon Gottsche, Shelly Parker, Doug Wheat, Heather McQueen, Chris Gentes.

Area 30: This included parts of Haydenville and Williamsburg.

Species Seen: 21

Comments: This was my first Christmas Bird Count. The weather was terrible from the outset. Fortunately Jon, Shelly, Heather and I conducted a dry-run the day before to get a sense of the best places to find feeder birds and to get an idea of the location of various areas of special birding interest. We discovered a variety of habitats and terrains. A few of which appeared to be the best birding spots, including what seemed to be an open marsh near some old corn fields. This pond was on private land, so we couldn't get an accurate count of numbers or species of waterfowl, but a few mallards were seen flying. Another factor inhibiting our count was the fact that in spite of the rain and warm temperatures, the reservoir remained frozen. Also due to the frequent rain and lightning we were unable to get up into some of the hills and thus were unable to record Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Pileated Woodpecker or any of the other species attributed to these areas. Other hoped for species such as Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, and Pine Grosbeak were also not recorded due to the driving rain. A pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets were observed the day before, but not during the count. A great disappointment to us was not finding a Shrike or even a Mockingbird. There were no Tufted Titmouse, Brown Creepers, or even House Finches observed! There was also no chance for any productive owling with the lightning storms and heavy winds. No gulls or other interesting flybys were observed either. All in all a disappointment. On the count day the weather got the best of us. Lightning, frequent and unpredictable downpours, wind gusts up to 30 mph, heavy fog (in some areas), local flooding, sideways rain, and fifteen degree temperature shifts.

Here's our list:

Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Dove 4
Mourning Dove 20
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue jay 12
American Crow 24
Black-capped Chickadee 17
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Eastern Bluebird 12
American Robin 2
European Starling 88
Cedar Waxwing 99
American Tree Sparrow 11
White-throated Sparrow 16
Dark-eyed Junco 49
Northern Cardinal 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 12