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One for the birds

Local volunteers see lower numbers, but more species during Christmas Bird Count

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Judy Garton, of Fort Dodge, looks for birds Saturday afternoon at Camp WaNoKi during the annual Webster County Birding Christmas Bird Count. The results of the day’s count will be sent the National Audubon Society to be included in the national count.

Even though she was suffering the lingering effects of a cold Saturday morning, a few sniffles didn’t keep Judy Garton, of Fort Dodge, from participating in the annual Webster County Birding Christmas Bird Count.

She bundled up, turned the heat up in her vehicle, and hit the road.

“You can bird anywhere,” she said. “I drove out by the orchards.”

Even from inside her vehicle, she did quite well. She spotted 15 different species of birds.

Those 15 will be added to the many others observed Saturday morning by the dozen or so volunteers who hit the fields, woods and backyard feeders all over Webster County.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Working over a bowl of homemade chili, Breck Johnson, of Fort Dodge, works on tabulating the results of the Webster County Birding Christmas Bird Count Saturday afternoon at Camp WaNoKi.

The final results will be forwarded to the National Audubon Society. Their annual bird count is done in December and includes all areas of the U.S.

The tabulation was done at Camp WaNoKi over a bowl of homemade chili and other treats.

Tom Johnson, of Mystic, and Breck Johnson, of Fort Dodge, did the addition.

Evans McWilliam, of Paton, is a veteran of many bird counts. He keeps excellent records.

“How many starlings,” Tom Johnson asked.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Joan Robertson, of Fort Dodge, at left, shows off some of the bird photographs she took Saturday during the Webster County Birding Christmas Bird Count. Looking on, from left, are Evans McWilliam, of Paton, Ron Anderson, of Fort Dodge, Tom Johnson, of Mystic and Susan Larson, of Fort Dodge.

“121,” said McWilliam.

“That’s pretty precise,” Breck Johnson said.

After the batteries on one phone’s calculator had been depleted, they came up with some preliminary numbers: 37 species, up from 29 in 2018.

“We’ll get a few more,” Breck Johnson said.

Bird counts can vary considerably from year to year. Weather patterns, habitat and food availability and a host of other factors influence what species are in the area and how many.

“What we’re seeing this year is a low number of birds,” Tom Johnson said. “The numbers are way down.”

Several species were seen in the area this year that are not normally observed. They included a pileated woodpecker in Dolliver Memorial State Park, several brown creepers, a Carolina wren and a kestrel. Breck Johnson will be looking into a report of a pair of albino house finches.

“We haven’t had one in five years,” Breck Johnson said.

Joan Robertson, of Fort Dodge, combined two hobbies Saturday – birding and photography. She publishes an annual bird photography calendar.

She’s willing to share her images with her fellow birders.

“If anyone wants one, I’ll send them one,” she said.

Even with her cold, Garton still went for a short walk from the shelter to the Des Moines River to look for birds once she arrived at Camp WaNoKi.

The woods were quiet and peaceful.

“I just pay attention to what I see,” she said. “I notice a lot of details about things. Birders are very observant; you notice a little flicker and it draws your attention.”

It’s also an easy hobby to get into.

“All you need is a bird book and a pair of binoculars,” she said.

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