![]() Trumpeter Swans, averaging fourth in the last ten years, was the third most common waterfowl this year with its second highest count. The 100,020 Canada Geese, our most common count bird, were 25.6% above the ten-year average, while the 30,931 Mallards, the second most common count bird this year (fourth last year), were 20.7% above the ten-year average. The majority of the 29 species of waterfowl reported this year (compared to 25 and 27 species for the last two years) were reported at numbers above the 10-year average for that species, a significant reversal of last year when more lakes were frozen and almost all were below average. Four were withdrawn on one count as data errors. Fifteen sightings were not accepted, as a result of inadequate (9) or lack of documentation (6). There were 180 reports which required additional documentation (vs. The species count (141) tied for the second highest species count. Canada Goose and Mallard numbers represented almost 40% of the total count this year, versus 14.8% of last year’s count, which was the second lowest total in the past ten years. As Canada Goose numbers account for over 97% of the variability of the total numbers of birds, high numbers of Canada Geese (100,020) resulted in the third highest cumulative total of all birds in the last ten years (336,948). With more open water, there were more waterfowl counted. This was the highest percentage of snow free counts in at least the last five years. Thirty percent of the counts had no snow versus last year’s 7%. less than a fifth in both of the last two years) and there was less snow on the ground. This year a higher percentage of the counts reported that lakes were open (about a third vs. ![]() Last year five times as many counts had lows below zero. Not that it was unseasonably warm (only 20% of the counts had highs above freezing), but it wasn’t cold, as only three counts started at below zero temps. ![]() Record participation is easy to explain: the weather was good for winter birding. The average number of feeder watchers was 9.0 compared to 5.9 last year. The average number of field surveyors was 17.6, compared to 16.9 last year. The Wabasha count deployed counters on horseback. The Isabella count had surveyors out on foot, skis, snowshoes, kick-sleds, snowmobiles, and bicycles. While all but four counts had surveyors out on foot, six sent surveyors out on skis and/or snowshoes. Duluth and three Metro counts had more than 60 field surveyors (Excelsior 68, Bloomington 62, Duluth 61, St. Detroit Lakes doubled its feeder watchers, reaching 54 with excellent community promotion. Owatonna again had the most feeder watchers (108 90 last year) and the most total participants with 118 (97 last year). Thirteen counts had more than 40 participants, compared to 12 last year. Average participation per count was 26.4, a 16% increase over last year. While the number of counts was the lowest in four years, participation of 2112 birders was the highest ever, due in large part to a nearly 29% increase in feeder watchers (704) over the five-year average. A new count at Redwood Falls, centered in Renville County, only reported data to the Minnesota Ornithologists Union and not to the National Audubon Society, which is not uncommon for start-up counts. Five counts were cancelled because of the Covid pandemic. Data in this summary is only for Minnesota and does not include participation and birds from outside the state in border counts.Įighty of 85 counts collected and reported data, a slight decrease from last year. Unusual reports included two Turkey Vultures, a Broad-winged Hawk, an American Pipit, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a Eurasian Tree Sparrow, and a Common Yellowthroat. There were 29 first county winter records. Of the 141 species (2nd highest ever) found, a remarkable 21 had record count numbers, including two species never reported before. Eight species were found on at least 78 of the 80 counts. It was the third highest count of total birds in the last decade. The birders came out in record numbers, and they found birds. Many lakes were still open and hosting waterfowl. The weather was excellent for winter birding. The 121st Audubon Christmas Bird Count (2020-2021 season) was a good one.
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