Two Rare Warblers Found on Count A record sixty-two participants found 109 bird species in ARNHA’s 23rd annual Great American River Wildlife Count on December 1. For the first time, the count recorded Common Yellowthroat and Northern Parula warblers, according to coordinator Jack Hiehle. The Yellowthroat, reported by Bill Griffith’s water borne spotters, is often found elsewhere in the region. The Parula, found by Jeri Langham’s group, is an eastern bird and is considered a vagrant in the West in migration. On a sunny but cold day that turned windy in the afternoon, the 109 bird species were just one short of the previous high for the census covering the LowerAmericanRiver and parkway. Other notable sightings included Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Redbreasted Nuthatch, Sora Rail, White Pelicans, and Common Loon. Jack’s non-bird report was notable for what were not seen – beavers, muskrats and coyotes. And very few Ground Squirrels were seen, probably because of the chilly weather. But there were many deer, especially at AncilHoffmanPark, along with Fox Squirrels.
First Saturday in December American River Parkway Wildlife Count 2007
AmericanRiver Natural History Association AmericanRiver – Hazel Avenue to Mouth at Sacramento River (Use this form for 2008 results)
Number of Observers: 62 (Download Forms for 2008 Count: Page 1Page 2) Legend:*= BIRD SPECIES SPOTTED IN 2007(109) **= NEW BIRD SPECIES SEEN IN 2007(2) NUMBER AFTER SPECIES = YEARS SEEN IN WILDLIFE COUNTS (Eg.: the number "5" after Common Loon means it has been seen in 5 annual wildlife counts)
NEW SPECIES: Two bird species added 2007– Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat
SUMMARY: Wildlife spotted on December 1, 2007, along the American River Parkway. 10 areas (plus 3 canoes in the river between Grist Mill and Howe Ave.) had 62 observers who spotted a total of 109 bird species and 13 other animal species. Leader Jack Hiehle won for the year with the greatest percentage increase of bird species sighted in his area. Total Animals in all areas by year:
Weather
River CFS
Number of Observers
Year
Bird Species: Number Seen
Mammal Species: Number Seen
Other Species: Number Seen
1985
98
1986
103
1987
108
1988
104
1989
103
1990
109
Fog & Rain
31
1991
106
Sunny
30
1992
110
Overcast to Sunny
36
1993
103
9
5
Soaking Rain
27
1994
101
8
1
Overcast
42
1995
108
9
3
Overcast
1900
53
1996
110
10
2
Cold & Foggy
2400
43
1997
104
10
1
Cold. Clear to overcast
3103
42
1998
107
10
2
Cold & clear
2512
45
1999
105
10
2
Very cold, dense fog ’til noon
2551
49
2000
106
12
2
Light rain, strong wind
1027
46
2001
101
8
1
Clear & sunny
1791
45
2002
107
11
4
Light rain, overcast
2050
41
2003
102
11
3
Clear & frosty to overcast
1798
44
2004
108
11
1
Clear & frosty to clear & windy
2339
46
2005
103
12
4
Cold fog to clear
2047
52
2006
106
8
3
Clear, very cold. Wind in afternoon
1280
62
2007
109
11
2
Total Different Bird Species seen in 23 years: 174 Most in one year: 110 species in 1992 and 1996
MAMMALS AND OTHER SPECIES COUNT, 2007
47 Deer4 River Otters1 Pocket Gopher (mounds) 11 Bucks7 Jack Rabbits1 Mole (broken ground trails) 27 Does4 Cottontail Rabbits0 Fence Lizards 9 Fawns3 House Cats0 Western Pond Turtles 23 Ground Squirrels0 Beaver 1 Pond Slider Turtle 48 Gray Squirrels0 Skunks3 Pacific Tree Frogs 141 Fox Squirrels0 Black Rats 103 Wild Turkeys 0 Coyotes1 Raccoon (tracks)
