ASWP Birding
Pittsburgh CBC 2006 Results
2006 Data Table (PDF, 23k)
The complete results of the 2006 Pittsburgh CBC, listed by species and count area.
Summary
Pittsburgh, PA, 40o 30' 48" N, 79o 58' 50" W, center near junction of Anderson and Hahn Roads, ca. 1.33 miles SW of Glenshaw, as described in 1966; elevation 710' to 1370'. December 30, 2005, 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Cloudy in the morning, mostly sunny in the afternoon. Temperature 28 to 53oF. Winds 0-5 mph. Snow cover - none. Ponds partially frozen, rivers and small streams open. 129 observers, 104 in 50 parties, 25 at feeders. Total party-hours: 219 (182 by foot, 34.5 by car, 2.5 by bycycle), 77 at feeders, 9.5 owling. Total party-miles: 582.5 (109.5 on foot, 458.5 by car, 15 by bicycle), 49.5 owling.
Total: 61 species, 21,054 individuals.
The day began cold and mostly clear and warmed considerably in the late morning. The temperature climbed from 28 to 53 F. 21,054 birds were counted, slightly over our ten-year average. We found a total of 61 species, four below our average over the past ten years. Participation was slightly lower than last year.
Noteworthy sightings:
- Seven species records were either tied or broken.
- 142 Wild Turkeys was not a new record, but represented the second highest total ever.
- 14 Double-crested Cormorants easily set a new record, marking the fifth year in a row that we've seen this once rare species for our count.
- A Turkey Vulture found in Kilbuck Township by Paul Brown was only the second ever recorded on the Pittsburgh CBC.
- A Bald Eagle found along the Allegheny River in Shaler Township by Joyce Hoffmann and Dan Yagusic was the first ever for the Pittsburgh CBC.
- A single Wood Duck was found on the South Side by Mike Fialkovich.
- With only three dabbling duck species reported and no diving ducks, the absence of these species is the prime reason for the low species count this year.
- 20 Cooper's Hawks surpassed the record high set last year.
- Four Red-shouldered Hawks again equaled our record total set in several previous years.
- Three Merlins included one found in Schenley Park and two at Nine Mile Run.
- One Peregrine Falcon was observed on the Cathedral of Learning.
- 7,648 American Crows were not a new record, but demonstrated the size of the evening roost in the city's East End. The big congregation this year seemed to be near the Forbes Hospital on Washington Boulevard. I witnessed over 1,200 crows streaming past the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in Harmar Township heading for Pittsburgh between 3:15 and 4:00 PM.
- Red-breasted Nuthatches were absent for the first time in 46 years!
- Our count of 298 Carolina Wrens was the highest since the population collapsed due to the severe winter of 1976.
- 121 Eastern Bluebirds were a new record, breaking the previous record of 77 set just two years ago.
- 60 Northern Mockingbirds doubled the previous record set just last year.
- 333 Song Sparrows is the highest total in 13 years.
- Fox Chapel is becoming our best area to locate Swamp Sparrows, providing our only two this year.
- Common Grackles were found in both Penn Hills and Pittsburgh.
- Fox Chapel is becoming our best area to locate Swamp Sparrows, providing our only sighting again this year.
- 345 House Finches were the lowest total since 1980 when this species was still spreading through our area. Clearly, this species is still in decline, probably in some part due to conjunctivitis.
- A Brown-headed Cowbird was located in Fox Chapel.
- Our only Pine Siskin was found in Indiana Township at Tingle Barnes' feeder.
- 366 House Finches were the lowest total since 1979 when this species was still spreading through our area. Clearly, this species is in decline, probably in some part due to conjunctivitis.
- 633 House Sparrows are the lowest total since 1959, when we had far fewer observers.
Our total of 61 species is five below our ten-year average. Some key "misses" include Bufflehead (first miss in 17 years) and American Coot (missed for the second year in a row after being seen for 12 straight years).
Ring-necked Pheasant and Common Raven were found during count week, but not on count day.
Just how long has it been since we've seen the "northern finches" (typically winter visitors only) on the Pittsburgh CBC?
| Species | Times seen in last 20 years | Last seen in |
| Pine Grosbeak | 0 | 1972 |
| Purple Finch | 14 | 2004 |
| Red Crossbill | 0 | 1982 |
| White-winged Crossbill | 0 | 1982 |
| Common Redpoll | 3 | 1999 |
| Pine Siskin | 11 | 2004 |
| Evening Grosbeak | 2 | 1993 |
Thanks again to all of the participants and special thanks to the count leaders for another job well done! Special thanks to Mike Fialkovich and Jack Solomon who organized and compiled the City of Pittsburgh portion of the bird count, which by itself is larger than most other Christmas Bird Counts. --Jim Valimont