Christmas Bird Count Archive:

Christmas Bird Count Results 2005:

Central Contra Costa County - December 17th
The central Contra Costa Christmas Bird count was held on Sat., Dec.17. It was a fairly rainy day and our number of species and overall number of birds were low. We had about 60 observers in the field that day.The total species seen was 145. Our average is around 150. Highlights were a Tufted Duck seen at the Bollman water treatment facility in Concord by Steve Glover,a Canyon Wren at Black Diamond by Jill Hedgecock's team. A Ross' goose seen with Canada geese by Bill Chilson's group was only our 2nd in 25 years

East Contra Costa County - December 21st
The East Contra Costa count was on Dec. 21. It was a calm, overcast day with no rain until the afternoon. We had almost 30 participants on 7 teams that day. Perhaps because of so many storms the week before and finally a clear day, we saw almost all we could expect and seven new species for the count ,now in its 5th year. 153 species were seen on the day. New were Eurasian Wigeon, White-throated Sparrow, Black-bellied Plover, Townsend's Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle. Other good birds were Winter Wren, Caspian Tern, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Phainopepla and Varied Thrush. This many species for an inland count is most unusual and just shows what a rich area the eastern part of Contra Costa County is for all of us.

Jimm Edgar & Maury Stern

Christmas Bird Count Results 2004:

Central Contra Costa County - December 18th
The 1005 Audubon Christmas count is history and the 2 Contra Costa county counts are as well. On Saturday, Dec. 18, 48 members and guests were out from dawn to dusk counting the birds in central Contra Costa. The weather was quite cooperative with fog in the morning, but fairly clear skis in the afternoon. We once again surpassed the magic 150 species threshold with 154 species. Only about 70 counts in the USA out of 1600 see over 150 species. Weather, good leaders, some great finds and the fact that we were able to put a boat out into the delta where our circle touches ever so briefly all helped to reach this total. The boat group found a small raft of Surf Scooters; a duck we have not seen in many years on the count. They also saw a Common Loon, a bird only seen on 3 of the last 23 bird counts. 2 Redheads at the Bollman water treatment plant in Concord were also birds only seen on 3 of last 23 counts. 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers found at separate locations on Mt. Diablo were very good birds for our count. A high of 5 Wood Ducks was encouraging as was 27 Hooded Mergansers. 3 new birds for the count added some excitement at the countdown dinner. 2 Barn Swallows and a single Yellow-billed Magpie have long been expected, but in the same year!? Steve Glover found a single Western Tanager at Markham Park in Concord that was a first for our count.

East Contra Costa County - December 22nd
The east Contra Costa count was on Wed., Dec. 22. On Monday, the 20th, it poured rain all day and we were expecting the worst, but the 22nd was clear and no fog. This, plus 36 participants, produced our highest species count in the 5 years we have done this count,142 species. The boat on Los Vaqueros reservoir found a Bald Eagle again as well as 2 Osprey and a Common Loon. A single LewisÕ Woodpecker was on the east edge of Round Valley Regional Park, which we have only seen on one count. The large dike areas on the east edge of our circle produce large flocks of geese, swans, cranes and ducks, species we rarely see on the central county count only 10-15 miles west. Also in the east county we get all of the ButeoÕs; Ferruginous, Rough-legged, & Red-shouldered, as well as all falcons. We added a new species, Caspian Tern, which had been in the area of Clifton Court forebay for about a week.

From Maury Stern, co-compiler, and myself a big thank you to all counters, feeder watchers and the hospitality folks who arranged the dinners.

Jimm Edgar

Christmas Bird Count Results 2003:

Central Contra Costa County - December 14th
Fifty-eight participants covered 18 different areas, and two other participants watched at feeders on our 51st Christmas Bird Count for central Contra Costa County on Sunday, December 14. I noted last year that it was one of the worst days I can remember, but this year was one of the nicest I can remember—sun, no wind, crystal clear all day. Wonderful conditions for birding!

It looks like we will end up with a species count of 147 species for the day. It seems that our magic number of 150 species may be more and more elusive for this count area. Loss of habitat and access issues are preventing us from seeing many of our even regular birds. Western Grebe and Canvasback, for example, were missed this year for the first time ever. We have not had a boat out on the Delta for the last three years.

Security at the Naval Weapons Station is tight these days, and we cannot view the harbor area, so we missed some water birds we usually see.

We have not totaled the final individual numbers, but they seem pretty normal. Highlights include a Red-breasted Merganser seen at Mallard Reservoir, a Pygmy Owl at Briones, and tow Long-eared Owls—one at the Naval Weapons Station and the other at Black Diamond Mines Regional Park. We also added two new species to the count—a Great-tailed Grackle at McNabney Marsh and a selasphorus species hummingbird found near Contra Costa sewage plant.

East Contra Costa County - December 20th
The East County Count is a 15-mile-diameter circle whose center is right about the middle of Brentwood. This is the fourth year for the East County count, and we are beginning to see some patterns develop. Last year we saw 135 species and reported 62,465 individuals. This year we had nine groups with 36 participants to cover the area. We had good weather most of the day, but there was a lot of heavy fog along the Delta that never lifted.

This year we gained some access to previously off-limits areas in the Los Vaqueros watershed. An employee of the watershed and one of our section leaders was able to arrange for some behind-the scenes views. There are 30 square miles around the reservoir that are owned by the Contra Costa Water District with a variety of habitat. Having that access was valuable. In total, we found 142 species—our four year high—and added six new species for the count: Black-throated Gray Warbler, Swamp Sparrow, Wood Duck, Mountain Bluebird, Winter Wren, and Redhead were new. The Bald Eagle on the reservoir was there gain along with a very high count of five Ospreys.

The east part of the county continues to see rapid development and the loss of open space. We are fortunate the Los Vaqueros, East Bay Regional parks, and other individuals and agencies have secured lands out there to protect some valuable habitat.

By Jimm Edgar

Christmas Bird County Results 2002:

Central Contra Costa County
The 47th annual central Contra Costa Christmas bird count was held on Saturday, December 15; and 78 observers in about 20 groups saw 151 species.

The numbers of waterfowl seemed quite low, but that could be because there was so much water available, the normal concentrations were dispersed.

The highlights included six Chipping Sparrows seen by Denise Wight's group. Steve Glover found a Swamp Sparrow exactly where one was observed last year. Florence Bennett's group saw Eurasian Wigeon and Blue-wing Teal. An adult Bald Eagle was seen the day before the actual count day by Harry Adamson and will be noted in the "count week." A Townsend's solitaire seen at Black Diamond was also a very good bird for our count. The weather on Count Day was pleasant and sunny--a beautiful day.

East Contra Costa County
This year was second Christmas Bird Count in East Contra Costa where birds and wildlife are rapidly losing out to suburban development.

The East Contra County Count was held on December 22, and we have 34 observers out on what was a very rainy day. The weather held numbers down significantly. Last year for the first year of the count, we had 140 species. The year we had 128.

There were some real highlights, however, including a Barn Swallow at Mars Creek Reservoir, a Lewis' Woodpecker at Vasco caves, a Ross' goose; and, most unusual, a Brown pelican at Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

By Jimm Edgar

To read the list of the birds observed by MDAS counters as well as the nationwide results, go to www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/.