Species reported Count Day: 127 (+ 1 additional form + 2 exotics)
(+ 0 species Count Week but not count day)
Total individual birds reported Count Day: 61,695
Participants: 100 (65 in the field + 35 at feeders/YARD)
On 2 January 2005, 100 participants in the Buffalo Bayou CBC observed 127 species. This official species count ties for the second highest total in the 28-year history of the count (highest = 132 in January 2003) -- despite a significant drop in number of observers from the past 2 years (although we still hit triple figures of observers -- barely). That drop in observers means the end of our 2-year run as the most popular count (i.e., most participants) in Texas -- we'll try for the top again next year. This is the only count in Houston, and our species totals continue to reflect an impressive diversity in an urban setting. The unfortunate trend of habitat loss in the portions of the circle between the West Loop and Highway 6. Thankfully Barker Reservoir and Addicks Reservoir (including Bear Creek Park) on the west side of the count circle and Memorial Park and the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center on the east still provide large, continuous areas of open space and good habitat. New to the count this year, and still subject to acceptance by the CBC Regional Editor as of the time of this writing, are Calliope Hummingbird, Couch's Kingbird, Tree Swallow, and Orchard Oriole. An all-time count high for Eurasian Collared-Dove ( 245 ) reflects the continued expansion of this species; the all-time high for Neotropic Cormorant (624) may reflect the same for that species. Other all time count highs were set for Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1,081), Blue-winged Teal (120), Little Blue Heron (54), White Ibis (1,789), Vermilion Flycatcher (3), Blue-headed Vireo (22), American Robin (25,386 -- a banner year), Gray Catbird (16), Cedar Waxwing (8,044 -- also a banner year), and American Goldfinch (1,306). Additional species of note include Anhinga; Green Heron; Merlin; Peregrine Falcon; Caspian Tern; Common Ground-Dove; Monk Parakeet; Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, and Rufous (16) Hummingbirds; Red-headed Woodpecker (23); Red-breasted Nuthatch; Bewick's and Winter Wrens; Golden-crowned Kinglet; Eastern Towhee; Harris' Sparrow; Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco; Rusty Blackbird; Purple Finch; and Pine Siskin. Some of these aforementioned species reflect that this winter seems to be an irruption year for some of the seed/fruit eaters. And Cackling Goose was listed for the first time -- though not considered a new species for the count, this species was formerly considered part of Canada Goose. (The complete species list and other data can be found on the National Audubon Society's CBC web site.) Thanks again for the second year to Don Greene of Whitewater Experience River Trips who provided a 2 canoes (and himself as a boatman) to survey Buffalo Bayou; and to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center which has hosted our morning organizational meeting for many years and also hosts this web site as well.