Christmas Bird Count Recap of the Cypress Creek Area

Contributors: Megan Ahlgren, Fred Collins, and Kendra Kocab

Dickcissel by Greg Lavaty

Each New Year’s Day, groups of volunteers visit the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s preserves to tally bird species and monitor population counts. This annual event, called the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), occurs across the globe and is the world’s longest-running wildlife survey, beginning in 1900! The CBC provides important insights into bird activity that are used year-round to support stewardship efforts. Below, monitors detail their observations from the Cypress Creek Area, a count area that includes the Katy Prairie Preserve as its largest land holding.

Conditions within the circle were extremely dry from September until December, when the area experienced heavy rain and flooding. Ponds, stock tanks, and lakes were full. On count day, many fallow rice fields were levee full as well. Consequently, waterfowl was widespread. Geese continued their downward trend, but most ducks were near or well above their 5-year average. Shorebird habitat was flooded, and few were found in the circle with the exception of Wilson's Snipe (higher than their 5-year average) and American Woodcock (11) which doubled the previous high count. Doves were all well above their 5-year average and near record numbers, except for Eurasian Collared Dove. A Ferruginous Hawk was the first since 2013. Owls were at or above their 5-year averages with both Eastern Screech Owl (15) and Great Horned Owl (50) setting new highs. The area is under severe development pressure with large tracks being divided into home sites and brush removed.

Ferruginous Hawk by Chris Bailey

In spite of this, woodland birds seemed more common. Woodpeckers were at or above their 5-year averages, with Ladder-backed (5) setting a new high. Flycatchers, depressed by the freeze of February 2020, continue to be uncommon. Eastern Phoebe is still far below its 5-year average. New highs were set for Blue Jay (238), House Wren (121), Carolina Wren (111), Gray Catbird (33), House Finch (6) and Black-and-white Warbler (2). 

Sparrows were mostly near or above their 5-year averages. Savannah Sparrows, which suffered in the recent freezes, were a bit low, while White-throated and Swamp Sparrows were almost twice their respective 5-year averages. A new bird for the count was Dickcissel. The number of observers was similar to the previous two counts, one of which was our all-time high for species (162). This year's species count of 143, down from our 5-year average of 147, was similar to other UTC counts down from typical averages.

The Coastal Prairie Conservancy thanks the volunteer observers who make the Christmas Bird Count a success each and every year. We could not complete this vital wildlife survey without your expertise!