Ten people took part in the annual Christmas Bird Count in Poplar Bluff, an event which has taken place for more than 25 years.
During the count, held Dec. 20, teams of volunteers canvassed distinct sectors inside a 15-mile diameter circle centered in Poplar Bluff.
“Each sector was really pretty distinct, showing quite a bit of variety in habitat,” said count compiler Bruce Beck, who noted only one active bird feeder was seen in Poplar Bluff.
“It went very well,” Beck added, noting “the best weather we’ve ever had for a count” greeted volunteers.
In all, 71 species of birds were counted, which is similar to the last 20 years.
“There are always a few different species that weren’t seen the previous year,” Beck said, “and there are a lot of qualifying factors, so you can’t read too much into it.”
In total, observers saw 3,694 birds, including winter regulars like snow geese, mallards and other waterfowl, blue jays, cedar waxwings, American robins, a barred owl, white-throated sparrows and many more.
Previous counts have ranged from a low of 2,820 birds to a high of nearly 253,000, when large roosts of European starlings, grackles and other species were present. This year’s count, however, was much closer to the average.
Of concern, Beck said, is a dramatic reduction in the numbers of bluebirds and some other species seen.
“There were fewer nuthatches and tufted titmice than normal, and also bluebirds,” Beck said. “They’ll come back, but that cold snap last winter was just devastating to bluebirds especially.”
The number of blackbirds seen also was far below average.
“Most notable is the number of red-winged blackbirds was exceptionally low. That was true at Mingo last week, too,” Beck said.
Data from the Poplar Bluff Christmas Bird Count, Beck said, will be forwarded to the National Audubon Society, which analyzes it in an effort to determine trends in bird populations.
“It first goes through a state compiler who makes sure there’s nothing too out of the question,” Beck said.
At the national level, “Audubon has kept those records since the first count in 1900,” Beck said.