APPLE RIVER, Illinois — Terrence Ingram, compiler for this annual count since it was first started in 1965, released the results of the 2020 National Audubon Society Jo Daviess County Christmas bird count which was conducted on Dec. 15. Twenty counters in 12 teams counted a total of 4,921 birds of 48 species. The counters were all members of the Eagle Nature Foundation and the Jo Daviess County Conservation Foundation.
Rare and unusual birds seen for this time of the year include Blue-winged Teal, Carolina Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Chipping Sparrow. Species seen in many previous years, but not seen during this year’s count include; Red-Headed Woodpecker, Mallard, Great-blue Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Screech Owl, Great-horned Owl, Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Northern Shrike and Robin.
Birds seen in high numbers for their species include: Pileated Woodpecker 9, Dark-eyed Junco 1,908, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow 41.
Spotted in 2020 compared to previous highs:
● 15 Canada Geese; 435 in 2004
● 3 Ring-necked Pheasants; 28 in 2004
● 23 Wild Turkeys; 334 in 2002
● 197 Starlings; 1,472 in 1996
● 1 Northern Flicker; 13 in 2004
● 23 Cedar Waxwings; 750 in 1991
● 2 Snow Buntings; 142 in 2010
● 2 Song Sparrows; 20 in 2000
● 2 Purple Finches; 83 in 2019
Other species seen include: Northern Harrier 2, Cooper’s Hawk 1, Bald Eagles 40, Red-tailed Hawk 27, Rough-legged Hawk 7, Rock Pigeons 99, Eurasian Collared Doves 8, Mourning Doves 201, Red-bellied Woodpecker 31, Downy Woodpecker 49, Hairy Woodpecker 10, American Kestrel 7, Blue Jay 96, American Crow 364, Horned Lark 252, Black-capped Chickadee 97, Tufted Titmouse 21, Red-breasted Nuthatch 3, White-breasted Nuthatch 31, Brown Creeper 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, Eastern Bluebird 18, American Tree Sparrow 325, White-crowned Sparrow 3, White-throated Sparrow 8, Northern Cardinal 168, Eastern Meadowlark 6, House Finch 145, Pine Siskin 18, American Goldfinch 191 and House Sparrow 461.
The 12 parties spent a total of 33 hours counting the birds and during the count drove a total of 321 miles.
