6 ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN 
Each year we have continued to establish new records. High 
records set in 1976 included: 1) 255 species (although we recorded 256 
species in 1972 and 255 in 1973, those totals were achieved before the 
current species lists were in effect); 2) 346,662+ individual birds 
reported (previous high, 324,000+ in 1974); 3) 15,135 miles driven 
(a gain of nearly 1500 miles from 1975); 4) 37 species in 90% or 
more of the participating counties, and 5) 50 counties (nearly 
two-thirds) reporting 100 or more species. Second high counts were: 
number of participating counties, 78 (high of 81 in 1975); number of 
observers, 1009 (high of 1046 in 1974); total party hours, 3149 (high 
of 3307 in 1975); party miles walked, 1675 (high of 1737 in 1975); 
and number of counties with 20 or more participants, 18 (high of 19 
in 1974). 
The number of annual participants seems to have leveled off at 
about 1000; however, the quality of birding and reports has 
continued to improve. Some birders again started off at midnight 
(Pike County) and birders in 38 counties (nearly 50%) were in the 
field by 0530 — over 80% of these reported 100 or more species for 
the day (this should prove the importance of early morning birding; 
one interesting note, many of the high counts have recorded over 
100 species by 0800). Of the remaining 40 counties, some starting as 
late as 0800, only 53% reached the 100 species mark. The latest 
birders stayed out until midnight (Ogle County). Pike County 
birders were out in the field for the most consecutive hours: 22%. 
TABLE 1 shows that there were 20 or more observers in 18 
counties; however, it is important to note that 20 members of the 
Southern Illinois Audubon Society covered eight counties and 43 
members of the Peoria Audubon Society covered five counties — 
these organizations deserve special appreciation for helping to make 
this count more meaningful. In twelve of the 78 participating 
counties, there were only one or two observers. This was the first 
year we have had participants in Stark and White counties. We still 
have not been able to fill the obvious voids in central and 
southeastern Illinois counties. 
Most birders were again able to visit the best birding areas in 
their counties and the only species truly missed by everyone was the 
Barn Owl. There were 13 species reported and documented that 
were not on the official count form and the American White Pelican 
present near Rock Island was not reported at all. A few observers 
still have difficulties in identifying birds, remembering the new bird 
names, knowing migration patterns and timing, and properly 
documenting noteworthy observations. The greatest problem is the 
reporting of species such as American Tree Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, 
juncos, longspurs, Rusty Blackbirds, Winter Wrens, Golden-crowned 
Kinglets, etc., that for the most part have long-departed Illinois; if 
