CBC-118 is my 20th year as a Regional Editor! If anyone would like to edit Utah CBCs and write this short summary, let me know, as I would be willing to “retire.” For the 118th Christmas Bird Count in Utah, 25 count circles were reviewed and 192 species were reported. Four counts recorded more than 100 species (Ogden, Salt Lake, St. George, and Silver Reef); 35 species were recorded on only one count circle; and, only one species (Common Raven) was observed on all 25 count circles. As with last year, mild weather and open water resulted in many counts reporting late migrating species.
Every year as I get involved in reviewing the CBC database, I become curious about trend counts for some species. The biggest surprise for CBC-118 was the number of Green-winged Teal in the state. Previous counts in Utah recorded a peak of 5263 on CBC-105; however, the 15-year average was only 1377. CBC-118 recorded 16,718 Green-winged Teal on 17 count circles. On my initial review, I thought 725 Red-tailed Hawks was a high number; however, the historical data shows a range of 412-876 over the last 15 years. However, the 15-year average of 611 is less than the 725 on CBC-118. Over the past several years, I’ve reported the continuous increase in numbers of Wild Turkey in Utah. CBC-118, with 1562 reported on 18 count circles, was the second highest count -- only behind the 1830 observed on CBC-115. I had more Steller’s Jays in my yard this winter than ever before; however, over the last 15 years the 283 reported on CBC-118 was the second highest behind the 327 reported on CBC-115. Many of us have been following the Eurasian Collared-Dove “invasion” of Utah since the first were reported on CBCs in 2002 (CBC-103). Note: the first Utah sightings were a few years earlier but not reported on the CBC. So far, the peak seems to be on CBC-116 with 11,490 reported. CBC-118 reported 7457 on 24 circles. The only count not reporting Eurasian Collared-Doves was the Dead Horse Point State Park count, so Eurasian Collared-Doves appear to be well distributed throughout Utah.
A few of the more notable species seen on only one count include: Blue-winged Teal (Logan), White-winged Scoter (Morgan), Dusky Grouse (Dinosaur Nat. Mon.-Jensen), Pacific Loon (Silver Reef), Neotropic Cormorant (Silver Reef), Turkey Vulture (Bryce Canyon N.P.), Black-necked Stilt (Ogden), Least Sandpiper (Antelope Island), Cliff Swallow (Ouray N.W.R.), Bohemian Waxwing (Logan), Wilson’s Warbler (St. George), Black-throated Sparrow (St. George), and Pine Grosbeak (Bear Lake). Also a flock of over 1000 Black and Gray-crowned rosy-finches was seen at Ouray N.W.R. and a flock of 40 Black Rosy-Finch were recorded on UTBO. Occasionally Utah records the Blue Jay (an eastern species) on one or more CBCs. On CBC-118, three Blue Jays were observed; one each on the Logan, Morgan, and Provo counts. Since CBC-100 (1999), the high number was on CBC-115 when four Blue Jays were recorded, one each on four different count circles. Blue Jays have been reported on six of the past 20 years on Utah CBC counts.