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MEMORANDUM 
TO : 
PARTICIPANTS IN 1994-95 SERC WINTER BIRD COUNT 
FROM : 
JIM LYNCH Qyv^-_- 
RE 
RESULT OF COUNT 
DATE : 
9 JANUARY 1995 
This winter’s count was originally scheduled for Saturday, 7 January 1995, but was 
postponed until 8 January because of rain and fog. So far, the winter of 1994-95 has been 
unusually mild, with the exception of a short but intense cold snap during the week before the 
count. Heavy rain fell on 6-7 January, melting any ice that had formed during the previous 
week. The day of the count was cool (30-40°F.), partly cloudy to sunny, and generally calm. The 
change of the count date and illness reduced the size of our team of counters, but we mustered 12 
volunteers at the SERC visitor’s center at 07:00. The group divided into three parties, each of 
which covered one of four sectors in the 70 km2 Rhode River count area (note: this is about 5% 
of the area of a standard 1,810 km2 Audubon Christmas Count circle). In the afternoon, the 
remaining sector was divided between two teams. 
Although weather conditions seemed favorable, everyone’s general impression was that birds 
were not nearly as abundant as in recent SERC counts. This impression was borne out by the 
final tally, which fell far below the ‘93 and ‘94 totals, both in total number of species observed 
(60) and in the abundance of individuals. We did have some good sightings, however. Highlights 
included 4 Bald Eagles, a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers, and our first ever count record for 
Bobwhite. Also noteworthy was the unusually high abundance of Cedar Waxwings and American 
Robins, which formed mixed flocks that fairly swarmed around holly trees and other fruit¬ 
bearing trees and shrubs. Sea ducks were unusually scarce, and loons were absent. On the other 
hand, we had record counts of Great Blue Heron and Kildeer. 
Thanks to all of you for helping to make this another successful count. 
cc: 
Ed Balinsky, Bert Drake, Paul Fafanoff, Annette Freese, Jamie Harms, Tod Heisler, 
Linda McCann, Greg Ruiz, Karl Weiss, Denny Whigham, Marjorie Wonham 
