Another great Christmas bird count was taken at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and vicinity on December 20. The 2008 count wasn’t  blessed with as many interesting species as last year’s but 112 species were recorded this year, which is a very high count in comparison to several of the last years. 

Thanks  to the excellent turnout of participants,  only one species was found in the count circle during count week that wasn’t located on count day (Lincoln’s Sparrow). 

Count  results can be seen at the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count page (and the results of previous years) at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/.   A local report for 2008 is also available under News at http://www.friendsofhagerman.com.

Most unusual species for 2008 was Barn Owl, the first seen at the Count  since 1992.  Two Fish Crows were spotted on the  Oklahoma side of the circle.  Record high numbers were set  for Bufflehead, Common Loon, Great Egret, Cooper's Hawk, Barn Owl, Downy Woodpecker, Pine Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow and Vesper Sparrow. Twenty-one participants met at the Refuge to count,, the most in many years, plus six home  feeder watchers joined in.

Participants were:  Barry Bell, Wayne Meyer, Myrna Brock, Jack Chiles, Bill Crean,  Dede and Jim Crusinberry, Richard Green, Karl Haller, Carlos Haller, Steve Keller, Scott Keller, Carson Keller,  Dick Malnory,  Mark Schallhorn, Brenda Shelton, Kim Snipes, Eileen Sullivan, Connie Taylor,  Dick Waldrep, and Debra Wells.  Feeder Watchers:  Sue Abernathy, Christine Finley, Tina Murray, Ginger and Sid Snedeker,  Ruthie and Eldon Sonnenberg, and Kathy Whaley.

Many thanks to all who participated this year!