2024 Cypress Creek Christmas Bird Count
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) courtesy of John Cocanower.
The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a longstanding tradition that offers valuable insights into the diversity and health of bird species on the coastal prairie. Now in its 48th year, the Cypress Creek CBC includes the Katy Prairie Preserve and other surrounding properties that provide thousands of acres of important bird habitat.
The CPC team recently spoke with Fred Collins, a long-time supporter of the count since the 1970s, who provided valuable perspectives on the count’s evolution of the years and its ongoing importance. Since it began, the Cypress Creek CBC has been a volunteer-supported citizen science project tasked with monitoring the effect of urbanization and habitat loss on bird species.
In its first year, 98 species were recorded by a handful of volunteers. Today, the annual event has grown into an organized effort made possible by over 60 participants. Over the years, the Cypress Creek CBC has documented positive and negative trends. While there are successes to celebrate, such as the documentation of new southern/tropic species making their way northward and the creation of new wetland habitat, there are also concerning trends, such as the decline of grassland birds like the quail and meadowlark while some duck and goose counts are 1/10th where they once stood. Despite these trends, participants remain optimistic about the count’s ability to engage both seasoned birders and newcomers alike in conservation efforts.
By supporting the Christmas Bird Count with your participation, you are helping ensure that this invaluable data will continue to inform CPC’s conservation activities on the coastal prairie. Looking for an easy way to get started? The Cypress Creek CBC has expressed a particular interest in hummingbird sightings in the count area and encourages everyone to record their sightings on iNaturalist!
On behalf of the entire team at the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, thank you to everyone who has supported the Cypress Creek Christmas Bird Count throughout its long history. The insights this project provides are of tremendous value to our efforts, and we could not accomplish this without you. Read on to explore the findings of this year’s Cypress Creek CBC.
The Cypress Creek CBC area is depicted above in relation to other CBC areas around Houston.
Thank you all for participating in the 48th Cypress Creek CBC! We had 63 dedicated participants who tallied 146 species (plus CBC first Egyptian Goose, domestic Muscovy Duck, and 3 count week species). This year’s count occurred as environmental conditions were recovering from a summer drought. Recent rains replenished surface water in many areas, but aquatic food and waterbirds were scattered. Waterfowl numbers were still near their 5-year average. Limpkin was a new species for the count - a common theme as this species spreads across the state. American Avocet occurred for first time since 1995 and Roseate Spoonbill set a new high (18), while White Ibis hit a 10-year low and Cattle Egret was missed altogether.
Although many plants suffered over the hot, dry summer, drought-tolerant crotons (dove weed) and ragweeds produced abundant seed crops. Thus we saw record high counts for Mourning and White-winged Doves as well as high numbers of meadowlarks. American Pipit set a new high, perhaps a reflection of extensive snow across the great plains into the Texas Panhandle. There was also some indication of a western influx of sparrows. Clay-colored Sparrow was reported for the 6th time in 48 years, but the 3rd time in the last 4 years. Two Brewer’s Sparrows were found, with only one previous record for the count. Both Lark Sparrow and Lark Bunting set new high counts.
Flycatchers made a good showing for the first time since the February 2021 freeze, with Eastern Phoebe (231) exceeding its 5-year average. Tree Swallow was also reported for the first time since the freeze. Only a single Golden-crowned Kinglet was reported, while Ruby-crowned Kinglet (256) had its highest number since 2010.
Much of the count area has been subject to rapid urbanization, woodland encroachment, and continued loss of grasslands. A number of species show trends that reflect these habitat changes. For example, Barred Owl (16) and Eastern Screech-Owl (16) set new highs while Barn Owl (3) was only half the 5-year average and Short-eared Owl was missed. Ladder-backed Woodpecker (6) had a new high count, and all other woodpeckers were at or above their 5-year average. Carolina Chickadee (193), Carolina Wren (165) and Northern Cardinal (524) were all present in record numbers, and Blue Jay (228) was within 10 of its all-time high of 238. House Finch (14) set a new high more than twice its previous high. On the other hand, Marsh Wren (2) and Sedge Wren (48) were both less than half their 5-year average. These trends are likely to continue as more habitat is lost to housing developments. Fortunately, Coastal Prairie Conservancy has protected thousands of acres of the Katy Prairie in the heart of the count circle where grassland species can hopefully continue to thrive.
Thank you again for your efforts. We hope you will join us again next year - mark your calendars for January 1, 2025!