PUEBLO CBC 2007

13 hardy souls braved the wind and cold, and despite early doubts turned in a very respectable count for the Pueblo CBC.  We counted 84 species and over 26,000 individuals, compared to the 39-year averages of 74 species and 14,000 individuals.  No new species were seen, but there were several birds not normally recorded for this CBC, including Red-breasted Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Virginia Rail, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Common Grackle.  Notably, this year saw a number of High Counts for the Circle such as Blue Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, Cackling Goose, Northern Shoveler, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Herring Gull, Rock Pigeon, White-winged Dove, American Crow, and Great-tailed Grackle.

Regarding those above-average levels, I found it curious that for the past several years we have reported above-average numbers.  I looked at the species counts over the past 40 years, and although there is some variability from one year to the next, there is a clear and unmistakable upwards trend.  This may be due in part to some species splitting (eg, Cackling Goose), intrusions into our area (Collared Doves), but hopefully also to a greater sophistication within our group.

Mike Ketchen , Compiler
Pueblo CBC