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Big May Day Bird Count Summary, 2012, Vigo County (Indiana)
By Peter Scott
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With photographs by Marty Jones and Jim Sullivan
Prepared May 1821, 2012
157species;12,558individuals
This year’s count day (May 12) brought more pleasant weather than the previous three, which were chilly, wet, and/or windy. This year was calm and dry with temperatures from 58 to 74 Fahrenheit, good conditions for a long day of birding. The Wabash River level was low (3 feet at the gauge), hence no stranded floodwaters for shorebirds. Low-lying Bowen Road in Prairieton Township, partly submerged last May,was “a desert” (Jim Sullivan). Despite fair weather, the rate of encounter with migrant species was “SLOW” (Steve Lima). Across the state, based on IN-BIRD comments, observers were incredulous at how few warblers and other migrants were seen. As an example,we (and at least one other major count, Tippecanoe County) missed White-throated Sparrow for the first time in 44 years; they had all passed through already. The strange migration may be partly explained by the warm winter; short-distance migrants wintering in the southern US would have experienced similarly warm weather and may have started north early. But the phenomenon extended to neotropical migrants as well. Nevertheless, our count managed to get 27 warbler species (20 by Steve Lima alone), 10 shorebird species, and 157 species overall, thanks to 146 party-hours of effort by 29 observers in 16 field parties. It’s the ninth time in the last 10 years that we have reached at least 150 species.
This was Vigo’s 44threcorded Big May Day count, the first being in 1966. Five observers were first-timers, though some have done Christmas Counts with us before:Nick Brown, Jennie Carr, Ellen Lunsford, Nan McEntire, and Dave Stanley. We hope history will not place them in the “one and done” category, as happens to one in three people who try our count. Some veteran participants were called elsewhere by a wedding, a graduation, the lure of another count, or migration at Point Pelee.
Two new species brought the cumulative 44-year list to 233 species. If only one could get all those rare species in one year! But it just doesn’t happen that way. Eurasian Collared-Dove was found at Graham Grain by Mike Brown, Dan Weber, and Dick Bonness, who also put it on our CBC list. A Connecticut Warbler was seen, heard, and well documented near Seelyville by Denise Sobieski and Bill Mitchell. Another first of sorts involvedPeregrine Falcons at ISU. The two adults nesting in a DNR box on the School of Business tower are parents of 3 chicks that hatched in early May, the first nesting attempt at this site to produce nestlings. Other rarities for the May count (one to nine previous records) included Forster’s Tern(at Duke Energy), Alder Flycatcher(three calling birds: two at Hawthorn Park, one in Pierson Township),Golden-crowned Kinglet (Lost Creek Township), Sedge Wren(in Hawthorn Park), Black-throated Blue Warbler (two in the southern half of the county),American Tree Sparrow (at Wabashiki), and Dark-eyed Junco (at a Farrington Grove feeder). Jim Sullivan coaxed a hard-to-get American Bittern into view at Chinook mine.
Missed Species: Besides White-throated Sparrow, we missed Cape May Warbler (usually reliable in Norway Spruces or flowering Tulip trees on ISU campus), Vesper Sparrow, and Henslow’s Sparrow. We had Vesper in 8 of 10 previous years (high count: 9 birds), here and there in fallow agricultural fields. This is the first miss of Henslow’ssince 2000, when we began paying attention to mine grasslands on the northern and eastern edges of the county; our average has been 12 individuals during that time. This year’s miss is due to the plowing up of almost all tall grass in the Vigo County slivers of Chinook and Universal mines. It may take serious scouting to get this species in the future.
Fewer than usual: Though we got all migratory thrush species, including rare-in-May Hermit Thrush, our numbers for Veery(2), Gray-cheeked(1),and Swainson’s(20) were paltry. Among migrant warblers, Tennessee(33), Magnolia(4), American Redstart(16),and Northern Waterthrush(1) were down. Only 11 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and 6 White-crowned Sparrows were heard or seen.
Abundance: The five most abundant species were the same as last year, in almost the same order: European Starling (1096), Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, Common Grackle, and Canada Goose (467). These are consistently the top five statewide.
A surprisingly abundant migrant was Blackpoll Warbler: 54 birds were heard or seen by 7 parties, smashing our previous high of 24. Like Tennessee Warbler, if it didn’t sing frequently (a thin, high-pitched si-si-si-si-si) we would have little idea of its abundance. This year, for only the third time in our count’s history, Blackpoll outnumbered Tennessee.
Record highs: We established high counts for 26 species, including 6 flycatchers, 2 vireos, and 6 warblers, only one of which was a migrant-only (Blackpoll Warbler); the other 25 species were local breeders. [See the multi-year worksheet of the database for these species, in column D, “max” (bold numbers).] This accomplishment seems mainly due to greater observer effort — a hypothesis we could test by calculating birds per party-hour. We had a record number of party hours (146) and party miles (883; sorry, planet). Our 29 observers was a typical number, but they were deployed in more parties than usual (16). We had better coverage than usual of areas with open country birds. Ironically, the fact that we got many high counts for resident species but only one for a pure migrant supports the impression that migratory species were relatively scarce this year.
Best Bobwhite count in a long time: Our 58 birds (52 of which were in Pierson or Fayette Townships) are the most since the 1970’s, when counts of 50 or more birds were routine and total party-hours were less than half what they are now. It’s good to know we have quail habitat in the county’s outer reaches. Mr. Bobwhite’s call is one of the great sounds of May.
Cedar Waxwings are increasing. Last year’s record high of 194 was replaced by this year’s total of 241 birds. Mulberry fruits were ripe on count day, but waxwings also benefit from exotic fruit plants. Eastern Bluebirds continue to increase, with a new record of 156 this year; the nest boxes put up by Dick Bonness, Marty Jones, and others must have helped. Pileated Woodpeckerswere widespread, including one at a suet feeder in Jane Chestnut’s yard.
Covering Vigo County better: Historically our coverage has been disproportionately in central and northern Vigo County, where the 15-mile diameter Christmas Count Circle is and most of us live. The southernmost townships, Pierson, Linton, and Prairie Creek, comprise about 18 x 6 square miles of rural habitat and are usually not a primary assignment for anyone. This year we put Nick Brown in Pierson Township, which kept him busy racking up 80 species, including good to remarkable numbers of Northern Bobwhite, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, Horned Lark, Blackpoll Warbler, Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Eastern Meadowlark. Our totals for some of these species could be state highs. Pierson Township has plenty of grassland and open country due to hay, grazing, and mining operations, plus a mountainous landfill around which vultures perch. Mine blast warnings and once-continuous roads that suddenly end call for an adventurous birder. Linton and Prairie Creek townships could be just as productive in different ways, so we will try to do them justice next time.
The observers and their areas, from northwest to southeast: Joe Dickson and John Haag, Fayette Township, from Duke Energy to the Illinois line. George and Laura Bakken, Otter Creek Township east of US 41. Carissa Lovett, Ellen Lunsford, Nevins Township. Henry and Margaret Tamar, northwestern Sugar Creek Township (from West Terre Haute north). Steve Lima, southern half of Sugar Creek Twp (Darwin Road, Dresser Wildlife Area, plus Duke Energy). Marty Jones, St Mary of the Woods, Otter Creek Twp along Wabash River, Universal Mine (pm). Jenny Bodwell, Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area. Dave Stanley andNan McEntire, Farrington Grove and ISU campus, Harrison Twp. Susie Dewey, Joy and Alexander Sacopulos, Deming and Dobbs Park, Highland Cemetery, Lost Creek area. Jeff Schaffer, Lost Creek Twp: Hawthorn Park, J.I. Case Wetlands, Heritage Trail. Denise Sobieski and Bill Mitchell, Seelyville (Plumbers and Steamfitters property), Tabortown Road, Chinook Mine north of I-70. Jim Sullivan, Chinook mine south of I-70, Tabortown pond opposite Bird-Gibson athletic facility, floodplain sites in Prairieton and Prairie Creek Townships.Denise Prothero, Andy Prothero, Hulman Lakes, Hulman Airfield, Chinook Mine grassland at Fenway Rd, and areas south of Margaret Ave. to Riley, plus McDaniel Road. Mike Gerringerand Jennie Carr, Honey Creek Township, south of I-70 between US 41 and SR 46 (Riley Road), plus Fowler Park in northeast Linton Twp. Michael Brown, Dick Bonness, Dan Weber, Prairieton Twp and parts of Honey Creek-Linton-Prairie Creek townships; areas south of I-70, west of US 41 and east of Wabash River. Nick Brown, Pierson Township. Feeder & Yard watcher, West Terre Haute: Jane Chestnut.
Thanks to Dan Weber for help compiling. Thanks to Sheryl Fisher at Duke Energyand C. Rothrock for permission to bird their properties on count day.
The birds: see Excel database for party-by-party totals and annual totals for last 44 years. In the list below, bold species are ones recorded less than 10 times in previous years (new species CAPITALIZED). Bold numbers are new high counts for the Vigo Big May Day Count.
Canada Goose 467, Wood Duck 193, Mallard 121, Blue-winged Teal 5, Northern Shoveler 2, Ring-necked Duck 3, Hooded Merganser 6, Ring-necked Pheasant 4, Wild Turkey 29, Northern Bobwhite 58, Pied-billed Grebe 3, Double-crested Cormorant 10, American Bittern 1, Great Blue Heron 85, Great Egret 22, Green Heron 8, Turkey Vulture 133, Bald Eagle 4, Northern Harrier 2, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Cooper’s Hawk 1, Red-shouldered Hark 15, Red-tailed Hawk 13, American Kestrel 5, Peregrine Falcon 2, Sora 4, American Coot 55, Semipalmated Plover 25, Killdeer 183, Spotted Sandpiper 7, Solitary Sandpiper 16, Greater Yellowlegs 2, Lesser Yellowlegs 14, Yellowlegs sp. 8, Least Sandpiper 7, Pectoral Sandpiper 10, Wilson’s Snipe 2, American Woodcock 3, Forster’s Tern 1, Rock Pigeon 117, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE 2, Mourning Dove 400, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 14, Eastern Screech-Owl 1, Great Horned Owl 4, Barred Owl 16, Common Nighthawk 8, Eastern Whip-poor-will 4, Chimney Swift 446, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 27, Belted Kingfisher 4, Red-headed Woodpecker 38, Red-bellied Woodpecker 63, Downy Woodpecker 37, Hairy Woodpecker 16, Northern Flicker 20, Pileated Woodpecker 20, Eastern Wood-Pewee 101, Acadian Flycatcher 27, Alder Flycatcher 3, Willow Flycatcher 9, Least Flycatcher 3, Empidonax sp. 3, Eastern Phoebe 55, Great Crested Flycatcher 93, Eastern Kingbird 113, White-eyed Vireo 49, Bell’s Vireo 22, Yellow-throated Vireo 7, Blue-headed Vireo 1, Warbling Vireo 98, Philadelphia Vireo 1, Red-eyed Vireo 71, Blue Jay 65, American Crow 244, Horned Lark 77, Purple Martin 101, Tree Swallow 135, Northern Rough-winged Swallow 29, Bank Swallow 41, Cliff Swallow 195, Barn Swallow 274, Carolina Chickadee 139, Tufted Titmouse 158, White-breasted Nuthatch 40, Carolina Wren 77, House Wren 52, Sedge Wren 1, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 118, Eastern Bluebird 156, Veery 2, Gray-cheeked Thrush 1, Swainson’s Thrush 20, Hermit Thrush 2, Wood Thrush 32, American Robin 814, Gray Catbird 69, Northern Mockingbird 71, Brown Thrasher 65, European Starling 1096, Cedar Waxwing 241, Tennessee Warbler 33, Nashville Warbler 5, Northern Parula 44, Yellow Warbler 57, Chestnut-sided Warbler 3, Magnolia Warbler 4, Yellow-rumped Warbler 8, Black-throated Blue Warbler 2, Black-throated Green Warbler 5, Blackburnian Warbler 3, Yellow-throated Warbler 16, Prairie Warbler 13, Palm Warbler 7, Bay-breasted Warbler 2, Blackpoll Warbler 54, American Redstart 16, Prothonotary Warbler 17, Ovenbird 3, Northern Waterthrush 1, Louisiana Waterthrush 4, Kentucky Warbler 10, CONNECTICUT WARBLER 1, Common Yellowthroat 181, Wilson’s Warbler 1, Yellow-breasted Chat 40, Summer Tanager 16, Scarlet Tanager 14, Eastern Towhee 71, American Tree Sparrow 1, Chipping Sparrow 190, Field Sparrow 104, Lark Sparrow 6, Savannah Sparrow 19, Grasshopper Sparrow 82, Song Sparrow 160, Lincoln’s Sparrow 2, Swamp Sparrow 2, White-crowned Sparrow 6, Dark-eyed Junco 1, Northern Cardinal 424, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 11, Blue Grosbeak 14, Indigo Bunting 325, Dickcissel 259, Bobolink 35, Red-winged Blackbird 893, Eastern Meadowlark 179, Common Grackle 637, Brown-headed Cowbird 149, Orchard Oriole 18, Baltimore Oriole 62, House Finch 94, American Goldfinch 173, House Sparrow 330.
Total species 157, individuals: 12,558. 29 observers in 16 field parties, with 1 yard/feeder-observer. Total party-hours 146, party-miles 883 (840 auto, 43 foot). Weather: temperature 78 (high), 54 (low), precipitation none, South wind 2-9 mph, clouds: hazy in morning, mostly cloudy in afternoon. Wabash River level 3 feet, falling.
Results will be sent to Jay Bolden, BMDBC compiler for the Indiana Audubon Quarterly, which publishes the lists from all reporting counties. Join the Indiana Audubon Society to receive this journal; it deserves your support! The society’s webpage is easily found.
Photographs: Thanks to Marty Jones and Jim Sullivan, we have fabulous photos (all from count day) on the next pages to commemorate the birds.
SoraAmerican Bittern, Chinook Mine
Marshland Birds
Photos by Jim Sullivan
Willow Flycatcher
Lark SparrowGrasshopper Sparrow
Grassland Birds
Photos by Jim Sullivan
Horned LarkDickcissel
St Mary of the Woods campus: Baltimore Oriole … Female Mallard & Wood Duck brood …
Wright Road: Purple Martins
Universal mine: Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Kingbird
Photos by Marty Jones
May Day Birds (5/12/2012) on Rothrock property, east levee of Wabash River and adjacent field in Otter Creek Township. Photos by Marty Jones
Red-headed Woodpeckers and Northern Flicker nesting in same tree
Blackpoll Warbler, unusually abundant this spring
Indigo Bunting, always one of top 10 most common species
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