At this point, due to the bad weather that kept people away from our potluck, I have only received about 1/3 of the reports for the count. However, I have already received reports of about 4000 birds of 51 species (plus 2 other count week species). Surprisingly, we did find 10 species of waterfowl despite the fact that the Mississippi has been so deeply frozen for the past couple of weeks. For comparison purposes, last year we saw about 7000 birds of 59 species with similar snow and temperature conditions but without the falling snow. My best guess is that the numbers will be a little lower for both total birds and species. Time will tell.

In general, the participants complained that it was hard to find and see birds because of the inclement weather. With a couple of exceptions, large concentrations of birds were only found at feeders.

Given the weather, the biggest surprise so far is that almost 500 robins have been reported including one flock of almost 300 birds. Red-breasted Nuthatches, which were unusually common last year because of the lack of food up north have not been reported by any observers yet.

The most unusual birds reported so far were 6 Trumpeter Swans below the east spillway, 3 White-crowned Sparrows in Hokah, 1 Carolina Wren at a feeder on the Bluff, at least one Wilson's Snipe, and a Northern Flicker on the south side of La Crosse.

Good Birding,

Dan Jackson,
Chaseburg, WI (near La Crosse)

For a listed count as of 12/30/08 click here.