COUNTING BIRDS
VOLUNTEERS working with the Cape Fear Audubon
Society scattered around the Wilmington area Dec. 30
to participate in the Christmas Bird Count, an annual
effort to measure the health of the bird population.
From Wrightsville Beach to Landfall, from Monkey Junction to
Brunswick County, more than 30 bird watchers, or birders, spread
out across a 15-mile circle to count the number of birds seen or
heard that day.
“The average number of species for Wilmington is close to
160,” Wilmington compiler Sam Cooper says. “This year we will
end up in the low 160s; a good
year in part due to the presence
of more birds and good weather
on count day. Waterfowl spe-cies
and numbers were up this
year. The most unusual species
found were whippoorwill (near
Orton Pond), American white
pelican (one in the Cape Fear
River, three flying south over
Masonboro Island), eared grebe
(Masonboro Inlet); Pacific loon (Wrightsville Beach), tundra swan
(Cape Fear River), and parasitic jaeger (Masonboro).”
Local birders joined counterparts from across the United States,
Canada and Latin America to participate in what Audubon.org
refers to as “the nation’s longest running community bird project.” —Gabriella Dionisio
An American white pelican, top, photographed during the Christmas
bird count. Sanderlings, shore birds that feed in the wet sand left after
receding waves, in winter plumage. Songbirds found locally include
cedar waxwings (above) and a Baltimore oriole (left).
SAM COOPER
19
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
SAM COOPER
RENEE SAUER WALKER GOLDER