The 2017-2018 Minnesota Christmas Bird Count

摘要

Mild conditions for the first week of the count with a large numbers of Canada Geese and Mallards resulted in one of the highest number of birds ever counted on the state CBCs. Forty-nine of 80 species with over 20 individuals counted last year, increased this year, a stark contrast to last year's count, when cold weather resulted in decrease in three quarters of those most common species. With 137 species the count compared well to the 140 of two years ago, and far above last year's 126. There were no new species for the count and few rarities. A Lincoln's Sparrow on the St. Paul (North) count, was the 3rd reported on a Minnesota count. Many of the winter-arriving species showed high numbers indicative of irruption years including Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, redpolls, Pine Grosbeak, and Red Crossbill. In addition, Rough-legged Hawk and many woodpecker numbers were strong. In contrast, it was a poor year for gulls, American Robin, House Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Amer- icn Goldfinch. Overall, it was a very satisfactory count year.