ASWP Birding
Pittsburgh CBC 2007 Results
2007 Data Table (PDF, 23k)
The complete results of the 2007 Pittsburgh CBC, listed by species and count area.
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 29, 2007, 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunny in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon. Temperature 38 to 45oF. Winds 0-20 mph. Snow cover - none. Ponds open, rivers and small streams open. 127 observers, 103 in 50 parties, 36 at feeders. Total party-hours: 186.5 (156.5 by foot, 29 by car, 1 by bicycle), 65 at feeders, 12.5 owling. Total party-miles: 542 (123 on foot, 418 by car, 1 by bicycle), 46 owling.
Total: 69 species, 20,230 individuals.
The day began cool and mostly sunny and warmed gradually in the late morning. The temperature climbed from 38 to 45 F. 20,230 birds were counted, slightly under our ten-year average. We found a total of 69 species, four above our average over the past ten years. Participation was slightly lower than last year, but average for the last ten years. Noteworthy sightings include:
- A Green-winged Teal was a nice find at the marsh behind Bladerunners in Harmar Township. It had been present at least a week prior to the count.
- 14 Double-crested Cormorants tied last year's new record, marking the sixth year in a row that we've seen this once rare species for our count.
- A Bald Eagle seen soaring over the Monongahela River by Kate St. John was the second ever for the Pittsburgh CBC.
- 22 Cooper's Hawks surpassed the record high set just last year.
- For the first time in 11 years, no Merlin was seen during the count. None have been seen this winter in the usual locations in Schenley Park.
- Four Peregrine Falcons were observed, two on the Cathedral of Learning by Mike Fialkovich and two on the 62nd Street Bridge by Dan Yagusic.
- A Killdeer was spotted flying over North Park by Bob Van Newkirk's team.
- Gull numbers were the lowest in years. 11 Ring-billed Gulls were the lowest total since 1990 and 17 Herring Gulls were the lowest total since 1997. Just a few weeks earlier, there were hundreds gathering at the Point, including Iceland and Glaucous Gulls.
- 3 Great Horned Owls were the lowest total since 1988.
- A Barred Owl was found on the Fornoff property in Indiana Township for the second consecutive year.
- 5,928 American Crows were not close to a new record, but demonstrated the size of the evening roost in the city's East End.
- Two Common Ravens were spotted on Bruno Island, making this the first time that this species has been seen on count day! There is a continuing trend of ravens moving out of higher elevations and into more developed areas.
- 367 Tufted Titmice were the lowest count since 1964!
- After missing Red-breasted Nuthatches last year for the first time in 46 years, 20 were found in this irruption year.
- Our count of 209 Carolina Wrens was the lowest since 1994.
- A Brown Thrasher was a nice find at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve for Brian Shema.
- 778 Cedar Waxwings was the third highest total ever recorded, with 452 found in Harmar Township alone, feeding on the abundant wild grapes in the woods along Locust Hill Road.
- Our lone Field Sparrow was found in Kilbuck Township by Paul Brown.
- Fox Chapel again produced our only Swamp Sparrows.
- 500 Northern Cardinals represents the lowest total since 1964.
- A Red-winged Blackbird was found at the Lucas feeder in Kilbuck Township.
- A Common Grackle was found at a Shaler Township feeder.
- Two Purple Finches were found at an Indiana Township feeder.
- Nine Pine Siskins were observed in two different flocks in Hampton Township.
Common Merganser, Common Loon, Turkey Vulture, and Common Redpoll were found during count week, but not on count day.
No Ring-necked Pheasants were seen for the 7th year in a row and no Ruffed Grouse were seen for the 6th year in a row. Soon, sightings of these species will require documentation if this trend continues, which in all likelihood, it will.
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