PENROSE CBC 2007 - Mark Peterson, Compiler

The Penrose count was fantastic this year with a record 120 species recorded and a record 23,079 individuals recorded.  There were 18 participants who braved the morning cold and enjoyed the afternoon warmth with temperatures ranging from 5 degrees F to 59 degrees F.  There were four new species added to the count this year:  CAROLINE WREN, SUMMER TANAGER (also a first state record for the winter), PURPLE FINCH and COMMON REDPOLL.  There were also 29 other species that set high counts.  The only somewhat expected species that were missed on count day were Cedar Waxwings and Ladder-backed Woodpecker.

Corvids made a great showing except for Black-billed Magpie which had its second lowest count ever only beating last year.  Last years count was held in a blizzard so I suspect we would have found more last year if it were not for that.  The Magpie average since 1984 has been 263 and this year we recorded 53.  Another species that seems to have dropped in numbers is the Black-capped Chickadee.  Since 1984 the average has only been 57 but the 10 years prior to 2003 the average was 90.  2003 was the first year that the count saw major drops in some of the species apparently caused by West Nile and drought.  The average for the last five counts is only 28.  Hopefully these species that have declined will recover to their previous levels.

Thanks to all the participants for their time and effort to make this such a GREAT count!!!