APPLE RIVER - The Eagle Nature Foundation and the Conservation Guardians have completed their one-day 2008 Christmas count in Jo Daviess County. A total of 3,554 birds of 43 species were counted during the one-day count on Dec. 14, 2008. Two unusual species were sighted that day, a Golden Eagle and two Carolina Wrens. This is only the second count in 44 years that had a Golden Eagle.
Species with low numbers counted include: Great Blue Heron, 1; Pigeon, 73; Mourning Dove, 27; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Horned Lark, 26; Tufted Titmouse, 10; and American Tree Sparrow, 27. During the 1964 count, the bird counters recorded 1,083 tree sparrows. Other species which have experienced a decline of more than 50 percent include the Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Kestrel, Red-belled and Downy Woodpeckers, Starling, Junco, House Finch, Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. This year 24 persons in six parties devoted 29 hours to count these birds. When this count was first started in 1964, one party would spend just nine hours in the field to get twice as many birds.
Species with low numbers counted include: Great Blue Heron, 1; Pigeon, 73; Mourning Dove, 27; Red-headed Woodpecker, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Horned Lark, 26; Tufted Titmouse, 10; and American Tree Sparrow, 27. During the 1964 count, the bird counters recorded 1,083 tree sparrows. Other species which have experienced a decline of more than 50 percent include the Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Kestrel, Red-belled and Downy Woodpeckers, Starling, Junco, House Finch, Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. This year 24 persons in six parties devoted 29 hours to count these birds. When this count was first started in 1964, one party would spend just nine hours in the field to get twice as many birds.
