CARIBOU — Birders took to the roads, woods and snow-dusted fields in ‘less than ideal’ weather conditions for Aroostook County’s 2011 National Audubon Christmas Bird Counts, held in Caribou on Dec. 28 and in the Presque Isle area on Dec. 31. Rain and freezing rain influenced numbers seen, yet a diverse representation of birds could still be found, according to count coordinator and Aroostook Birders club president Bill Sheehan.
Sheehan reports Caribou’s first official National Audubon Christmas Bird Count, which included parts of Caribou, Connor, Caswell, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, New Sweden and Woodland, saw 2,588 birds tallied from 26 different species. Temperatures were in the mid 40s with wind and showers of increasing intensity at mid-day.
“This first-ever count for the Caribou area did have some notable highlights — a sharp-shinned hawk, American robin, common redpolls and a high count of five northern shrikes,” said Sheehan. “Also, no sparrows were recorded on the count.”
Participants who took part, both in the field and at feeders, included: Steve Agius, Mary Collishaw, Dana Hallowell, Nancy Hudak, Andrew Levesque, Russell Mount, Bob and Sue Pinette, Judy Roe, Parker Rossignol, Pam Scheppele, Donald Smith and Sheehan.
For a detailed listing of all birds recorded or more information about Aroostook Birders bird watching club, e-mail thearoostookbirders@gmail.com or contact Sue Pinette at 764-1801.
