This year marked the 27th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), which was held from February 16 to February 19, 2024. This worldwide citizen science effort encourages people of all ages and birding-backgrounds to collect data on bird populations near them, or even right in their backyards. This year, citizen scientists around the world completed 294,572 checklists within 253 subregions and recorded 7,835 species! Not only does this international effort provide data to researchers at National Audubon Society, Birds Canada, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, but it also records abnormalities that may have otherwise been unnoticed. For example, during the 2022 GBBC, more than 300,000 Snow Geese were reported in Missouri, and a Steller's Sea-Eagle, a resident of coastal regions in Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia and parts of Russia, was enjoyed by Backyard Bird counters in Maine.
While folks at National Audubon Society, Birds Canada, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are tracking worldwide bird counts by the years, we’ve been observing the changing winter residents at Goose Pond Sanctuary and Mark and Sue’s cabin in Rio (Wildland LLC) for 23 years. We can expect to find a few familiar faces each year: American Tree Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, American Goldfinches, etc. However, the numbers of those expected winter residents may change, and we also may get a few surprises. For more information on past GBBCs, see the following features from 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Short-eared Owl, photo by Clayton Fitzgerald (eBird)
This year’s GBBC had a few unexpected species and counts, which may be a product of this February’s abnormal weather. According to the National Weather Service station in Arlington, the normal maximum and minimum temperatures for the month of February are 29.7 and 11 degrees respectively; so far, this year’s maximum and minimum temperatures are 41.5 and 22.9 degrees. Additionally, the normal amount of new snow in February is 9 inches, but so far we have had 1.5 inches. Typically the water on the pond is frozen during the month of February, but this year we’ve had about 3-4 inches of runoff on the west pond.
Without being frozen, the pond was able to welcome three species of geese during the GBBC: Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and Greater White-fronted Geese. It is very unusual to have three species of geese in the month of February, as even the end of March would be considered early for their arrival in most years. Also unusual is the uncharacteristically high numbers of geese at this time of year; during Mark and Sue’s count, they recorded 950 Canada Geese. The lack of deep snow may have also given Backyard Bird counters more opportunities to spot Short-eared Owls hunting small mammals in the prairies.
2024 Highlights by residence:
Prairie Lane, Arlington (Goose Pond Sanctuary)
While birds around the Prairie Lane residence were not particularly abundant or diverse during this year's GBBC, American Goldfinches, House Finches, and a Northern Cardinal provided satisfying splashes of color within the rather drab elderberry bushes in which they perched. A White-crowned Sparrow or two have been consistent visitors all winter, and we were fortunate to have a handsome male using the feeders and picking through the weeds. One early Song Sparrow was also scratching about on the ground during the 15 minute count.
Large numbers of geese arrived early in February. Cold temperatures on February 16 and 17 (half of the GBBC days) froze the pond solid and pushed out essentially all waterfowl. Some flew over, but geese did not land back on the pond until late morning on the 18.
Greater White-fronted Geese, photo by Mike Ellery
Kampen Road, Arlington (Goose Pond Sanctuary)
While filling the feeders at the Kampen Rd residence, I expected to flush the usual residents, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, and House Finches, but during my rounds, I heard the loud whistling honk of Greater White-fronted Geese. First, a flock of 34 flew over followed by a lone Canada Goose, after about ten minutes, a flock of 36 flew over, and then a flock of 12 flew by for a total of 82 Greater White-fronted Geese. I also saw my first American Robin of the year perched above the backyard while another sang in the distance.
Wildland, Rio
158 acres protected with an easement held by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and managed for wildlife north of Rio. Habitat in the local area includes oak hickory woodlands, a red pine plantation, restored prairie, wetlands, and two trout streams.
Mark and Susan Foote-Martin found 30 species on three yard counts and three walks along theirs and the DNR Rolke Creek Fishery Area Schliesmann roadside. The count highlight was watching a flock of 75 American Robins that appeared to be in migration flying over our cabin.
Interesting observations and numbers included six Sandhill Cranes calling from three wetlands, eight Red-bellied Woodpeckers along .45 miles of road, 12 Blue Jays seen at one time in the yard, two Common Ravens, one Common Redpoll, three Pine Siskins, 40 American Goldfinch, and a male Red-winged Blackbird at the feeders.
Woodpeckers have been abundant this winter. Woodpecker high counts in the yard included two Red-headed, three Red-bellied, three Downy, three Hairy, and one Northern Flicker. Mark and Sue love seeing the brightly-colored Red-headed Woodpeckers at the suet blocks or at the sunflower feeders.
Written by Emma Raasch, Goose Pond Sanctuary Ecological Restoration Technician, Mark and Susan Foote-Martin Goose Pond Sanctuary land managers, and Graham Steinhauer, Goose Pond Sanctuary Land Steward
Cover photo: Downy Woodpecker by Eric Begin
