The 115th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count was held on Mercer Island
December 27th. Thirteen participants divided into four groups to count the water
and land birds. Weather conditions were excellent and unusually warm for the
count. The weather for the day turned out to be 48 degrees, no rain but windy. The
lake was choppy and made it difficult to see water foul. The count tallied 58 species
of bird and had a total of 2,624 individual birds. Not surprising, the most number of
species were found at the north end around Luther Burbank Park. That group,
headed by Linda Anchondo, found 43 species of birds. One nice sighting was of the
resident Peregrine Falcon under the east channel bridge. The data from this count is
added to Seattle Audubon’s larger compilation for the area.
Ron Reeder took the photo below of the Peregrine on the East Channel Bridge. We
were able to watch the pair swooping over the water just under the bridge. One
caught a small bird and proceeded to eat it on the light standard. You can find them
perched in nearby trees by the boat launch.
Click to see Bird Tally
December 27th. Thirteen participants divided into four groups to count the water
and land birds. Weather conditions were excellent and unusually warm for the
count. The weather for the day turned out to be 48 degrees, no rain but windy. The
lake was choppy and made it difficult to see water foul. The count tallied 58 species
of bird and had a total of 2,624 individual birds. Not surprising, the most number of
species were found at the north end around Luther Burbank Park. That group,
headed by Linda Anchondo, found 43 species of birds. One nice sighting was of the
resident Peregrine Falcon under the east channel bridge. The data from this count is
added to Seattle Audubon’s larger compilation for the area.
Ron Reeder took the photo below of the Peregrine on the East Channel Bridge. We
were able to watch the pair swooping over the water just under the bridge. One
caught a small bird and proceeded to eat it on the light standard. You can find them
perched in nearby trees by the boat launch.
Click to see Bird Tally
