What a CBC season! Unlike last year鈥檚 wintry blasts which caused counts to be delayed or cancelled, almost no CBCs this year reported weather issues and in fact, many were quite warm. This was fortunate, as there was a lot to find this year. Birders tallied some remarkable finds during the season, which included one of the strongest invasion of montane species into lowland areas that New Mexico has seen in quite some time. Some of the more obvious species were Steller鈥檚 Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted and Pygmy nuthatches, Red Crossbill, Cassin鈥檚 Finch, and Evening Grosbeak. Las Cruces, about as far south and desert-like as one can get in the state, recorded the year鈥檚 high count for Red Crossbill! But other more mundane montane birds made headlines with Downy Woodpeckers in particular showing up on several southern lowland CBCs and in other areas with high counts. Several firsts were found. A first verified NM winter record of Zone-tailed Hawk on the La Luz-Otero County CBC was photographed. Three birds were found for the first time on a NM CBC; a count week Red-breasted Sapsucker at the Gila River, Eastern Towhee at Bosque N.W.R. and a long-awaited first state record Black-crested Titmouse in Clovis.
While the montane species invasion was certainly the headliner this year, New Mexico was not immune to the ongoing and increasing trend of species lingering and perhaps overwintering further north than what was considered normal less than two decades ago; Neotropic Cormorant was in Albuquerque, Turkey Vulture in Las Cruces (complementing the now regular winter roost in Roswell), Great Egret in both Albuquerque and Farmington, American Avocet at Sevilleta N.W.R., Band-tailed Pigeon in Las Vegas and Angel Fire-Eagle Nest, a Black Phoebe at Farmington, multiple Lark Sparrows in the Peloncillo Mountains, and Green-tailed Towhee at Los Alamos and Dixon. Hummingbirds also lingered with Anna鈥檚, Rufous and Broad-billed hummingbird recorded at Lakes Avalon-Brantley, Las Cruces and/or Silver City. Southern species staying further north was counterbalanced by birds which reach the southern extent of their winter range in New Mexico continuing to decline in overall numbers. Only three Rough-legged Hawks were reported on three separate counts, a well-documented bird at Bosque N.W.R., one at Las Vegas and one at Angel Fire-Eagle Nest. Northern Shrikes were seen only at Cimarron and the Sandia Mountains (one each). Just 25 American Tree Sparrows were tallied across five counts; Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Espanola, Angel Fire-Eagle Nest, and Clayton - and only Angel Fire had more than two individuals.
Having 36 circles was more than we have had in some time. We welcomed back the Pecos CBC. But the high circle count may not continue. The private Ladder Ranch in Sierra County will no longer be counted and we are seeing the last gasps of the long-running Zuni CBC as counts seem to be less easily accommodated by Zuni Pueblo. With the increased coverage, unusual birds were found, particularly on the Zuni CBC where a Sandhill Crane and a Crissal Thrasher were surprises. Egyptian Goose has been tallied on the Clovis CBC for several years and the feral population there appears to be expanding. A lack of counters on this CBC may account for the low numbers tallied. A long-standing Black Scoter at Bluewater and a Long-tailed Duck on the Rio Grande within the Los Alamos circle were the highlights for waterfowl. A Red-shouldered Hawk graced the Carlsbad Caverns CBC and 15 White-throated Swifts at La Luz-Otero County proved the warmth on that count. The three Peregrine Falcons this year were all on southern NM counts. Blue Jays made news crossing over the easternmost mountains and showing up at Las Cruces, La Luz, Los Alamos, and Orilla Verde. Winter and Pacific wrens enjoyed a good season with over 17 individuals counted on 11 counts. Northern Parula was a count week bird at Caballo while two Yellow-throated Warblers were seen on count day in La Luz and Farmington.
The compilers of these counts do much of the organizing and information collection for these counts, do a great job and I thank them. My job is made much easier because of them. There are some lingering issues with lack of documentation for some species either because observers are not familiar with some species鈥 seasonality in the state or not understanding the need to establish a scientific record. New Mexico has been working for a while to understand what is happening with lingering Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and we are finally beginning to get good descriptions or photographs of these birds. But more can be done. There are still some issues with difficult identifications such as Cackling Goose, Blue-winged Teal, House Wren, Chihuahuan Raven, and Common Grackle, among others. Two different counts reported Black-headed Grosbeak this season. It was quite frustrating to have not received any details on either of these birds. Compilers should be aware that most flycatchers, warblers, orioles, tanagers, and grosbeaks warrant special attention. New Mexico compilers can provide help to observers by noting prior to Count Day that 鈥渘early hardy鈥 species should be photographed if at all possible. Still much of what was documented was done well and on time and for that I am grateful.