The 46th Putah Creek Christmas Bird Count was held on December 18, 2016, amid clear, cold, and often windy conditions. This kept bird numbers down to just 131 species, one of the lowest totals in recent count history.
The count was conducted by 79 participants, who combined for 180 party hours, the third highest total in count history. They traveled 72 miles on foot, 285 miles by car, and 6 miles by bike. The early hours were marked by 14 hours of owling.
There were no new species found on the count.
Female Bufflehead by Jim Dunn
Record high counts were set for six species. These were: Bufflehead (1,094), Cooper’s Hawk (17), Peregrine Falcon (7), Long-billed Curlew (400 in one group), Least Sandpiper (105), and “Thick-billed” Fox Sparrow (8, since we’ve figured out how to find them in the chaparral).
Record high counts were tied for three other species: Sora (6), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1, apparently the same bird from last year), and Black-throated Gray Warbler (1, for the 6th year in a row).
There were a remarkable seven all-time low records: American Wigeon (6, due to changing dynamics at Lake Solano), Loggerhead Shrike (14), Yellow-billed Magpie (211, less than half of last year’s count), Bewick’s Wren (29), Hermit Thrush (65), California Towhee (64), and Western Meadowlark (274, possibly due to rapid orchard conversion across the valley floor).
Thanks to all the area leaders, potluck organizers, and others who helped make this a successful CBC.