Carey's annual count records nearly 7,000 birds

CAREY — Carey's annual Christmas bird count tallied 6,846 birds, including 66 different species. Eric Mullholand, who has organized and then compiled Carey's results for more than 15 years, reported that the weather on the day of the count — Dec. 31 — was between 42-45 degrees with 5-15 mph winds. He said there was heavy rain throughout the morning and afternoon which made it hard to hear and see the birds. "The days before and the days after were dramatically better for viewing and survey," Mullholand wrote in his report. This was the 30th year for the event in Carey. Each year from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5, volunteers throughout the United States, Canada and many other countries in the Western Hemisphere go out over a 24-hour period to count birds. The information they gather is submitted to the National Audubon Society, which uses the results to chart trends in population, movement and migration. While the original count dates back to 1900, people were doing a form of the count long before that. According to Mullholand, The Carey count was founded by Vic Fazio in 1995. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile-wide diameter circle. Volunteers follow specified routes throughout the circle, counting every bird they see or hear that day. The center of the Carey circle is Crawford, and it overlaps Wyandot and Seneca counties. The area is mostly rural agricultural, but includes small towns, woodlots, riparian areas and open grassy meadows, highlighted by Springville Marsh, the Sandusky River, Tymochtee Creek, many ponds and reservoirs, and the Wyandot Wildlife Area, which is known to locals as the game reserve. Mullholand reported that seven volunteers spent 22.25 hours in the field, observing both on foot and by car. In all, they covered 336 miles. In his report to the Audubon Society, Mullholand noted they had a smaller number of volunteers and groups, but the ones who survey were very experienced. "Every group was in their traditional areas and know the area very well. Most groups also scouted before and returned after the count day. This accounts for the large additional county-week species (better weather and more people and time spent)," he wrote. Volunteers recorded 23 horned larks which is often the most common species. They also noted 106 blue jays and 42 Northern cardinals. These birds are normally very vocal and easy to identify. Noticeable absences were cowbirds. A group of 43 tundra swan were seen in the area. Volunteers didn't observe any great horned owls on count day, but 10 were recorded during the week. Just 2 winter wrens were recorded which is an expected species. European starlings topped the list with 4,778 birds seen. There were also 71 house sparrows, 901 Canada geese, 131 mallards, 131 dark-eyed juncos, 57 ring-billed gulls, 114 rock pigeons and 31 mourning doves. Mullholand said 17 bald eagles were spotted in the Carey circle this year. As for raptor numbers, there were 35 American kestrels, 9 red-tailed hawks, 2 Northern harriers, 1 Cooper's hawk and 1 rough-legged hawk recorded. Volunteers also noted 9 Eastern screech owls.