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THIS WEEK at HILTON POND
11-21 December 2021

Installment #760---Visitor # web counter

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31st ANNUAL YORK/ROCK HILL (SC)
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT (2021)

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Each winter--in cooperation with the National Audubon Society--Hilton Pond Center implements and compiles a Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for York/Rock Hill in York County, South Carolina (see map above). Christmas Bird Counts--perhaps the first big organized "citizen science" effort--originated 121 years ago as an alternative to traditional holiday bird hunts when folks young and old used newly gifted guns to see who could bring down the most birds. For that first "counter-measure" CBC in 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman organized 25 counts of live birds from Toronto to Pacific Grove CA and involved 27 participants who tallied 89 combined species. That's a far cry from 2020 when 2,646 CBCs in the United States, Canada, Latin America , and Pacific Islands involved 81,601 participants who tallied nearly 43 million birds, with 672 species in the U.S. alone!

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Hilton Pond Center started the York/Rock Hill count in 1991 to help provide a snapshot of numbers and species of early-winter birds present in east and central York County--in the heart of the Carolina Piedmont Region. Beginning before sunrise and finishing at dusk, participants identify and tally birds seen and/or heard in assigned sectors of an area inscribed by a standard circle 15 miles in diameter (see map above and aerial photo below). The circle is centered where Tools Fork Creek flows beneath the new bridge on SC Hwy 5 (West Main Street) just west of Northwestern High School. (Count-center coordinates are 34° 57' 23.57" N, 81º 06' 24.64" W; in decimal degrees that's N34.956547, W81.106844.)

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Click on image above to open a larger view in a new browser window

The 31st annual York/Rock Hill count on 18 December 2021 began in dense fog with no wind and a temperature of 58°. As the day progressed, fog gave way to dreary overcast skies and occasional light rain totaling 0.5". High temperature was an unseasonably warm 70.5°, dropping to 65° as the count ended at dusk. Field observers included six stalwarts: Count compiler Bill Hilton Jr. (31-year veteran), Bob Olson (24 years), Tom Anderson (eight years), and two-year participants Cindy Stacy and Cheryl & Marcus Morris. Neighborhood and feeder watchers included Pam & Charlie Jaco and Susan B. Hilton.

As noted on Table 1 below, the 2021 count yielded 65 of 128 species considered possible in this part of the Carolina Piedmont, although a few are unlikely. This species tally was considerably below our all-time high of 80 in 2000 but close to our 31-year average of 63.1. In all, observers tallied 5,126 individual birds, more than our average of 4,436 but barely a third the record high of 12,945 set in 1994. (Seven of the first eight years of the count exceeded this year's total.) Over the course of 31 years 172 different observers have tallied 133,076 birds in the 15-mile-diameter count circle.

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center
2021 CBC photo courtesy Cindy Stacy

Three species set new highs on the 2021 count: Double-crested Cormorants (151 seen) and Brown Creepers (above, four seen) beat their previous records by just one individual, while usually elusive Red-headed Woodpeckers (below, RHWO) surprised us with 13 individuals at four different locations. (Previous record was five RHWO, suggesting the species may be doing well within our count circle.)

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center
2021 CBC photo courtesy Cindy Stacy

Two other species tied their record high for individuals seen: Great Egret with one observed and Palm Warbler with three. Both are rarities on the York/Rock Hill count, with the warbler encountered in only two years and the egret thrice.

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center
2021 CBC photo courtesy Cheryl & Marcus Morris

This year 29 species (see table below) came in with above-average tallies, with Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and American Robins appearing in significantly high numbers. These three gregarious species typically form large nomadic flocks that some winters we miss seeing. For eight species only one individual was encountered this year, including the Savannah Sparrow above. Five "CW" species were observed during "count week" (three days before and three days after) but were not seen on on count day (18 December).

Below are photos of several other species encountered on the 31st annual York/Rock Hill (SC) Christmas Bird Count in 2021:

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center
2021 CBC photo courtesy Cindy Stacy

Song Sparrow (SOSP, above): 16 SOSP observed, well below the all-time high of 91 AND the 31-year average of 27. All our sparrow species have been in decline, likely due to continuing loss of shrubby habitat they frequent.

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center
2021 CBC photo courtesy Cindy Stacy

Downy Woodpecker (above): 12 downies observed, above the average of seven but less than the high of 17. The male downy in the photo is probing what appears to be a cocoon from one of the Giant Silkworm Moths.

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center
2021 CBC photo courtesy Cindy Stacy

Brown Thrasher (above): Never plentiful on our count, we had just two thrashers this year--below the average of three and the high of 14. (Note the droplets of moisture on the horizontal twig--condensation from heavy fog that shrouded the count circle at dawn.)

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Eastern Towhee (male above): Our 16 towhees observed this year was a little below the average of 20 but less than a third the high of 59 set in 2006.

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

TABLE 1:
2021 YORK/ROCK HILL SC
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT TOTALS
(18 December 2021)
RED = New record high (3 species)
GREEN = Ties record high (2 species)
MAROON = At or above average (29 species)
Common
Name
2021
Count
31-year
Avg.
31-year
High
Number of
Counts
Blackbird, Brewer's
.
--
--
--
Blackbird, Red-winged
404
273
5,580
25
Blackbird, Rusty
2
2
30
7
Blackbird sp.
.
142
2,156
(9)
Bluebird, Eastern
61
80
216
31
Bobwhite, Northern
.
1
13
2
Bufflehead
.
2
11
11
Bunting, Snow
.
<1
1
1
Buteo sp.
.
<1
1
(1)
Canvasback
.
<1
8
1
Cardinal, Northern
91
71
169
31
Catbird, Gray
.
<1
1
1
Chickadee, Carolina
43
40
159
31
Coot, American
CW
17
79
26
Cormorant, Double-crested
151
44
151
26
Cowbird, Brown-headed
45
26
245
13
Creeper, Brown
4
1
4
13
Crow, American
57
81
191
31
Crow, Fish
.
<1
10
3
Dove, Mourning
95
91
266
31
Dove, Rock (Pigeon)
20
35
185
27
Duck, American Black
.
<1
4
5
Duck, Ring-necked
.
4
50
9
Duck, Ruddy
CW
3
19
10
Duck, Wood
CW
1
10
9
Dunlin
.
--
--
--
Eagle, Southern Bald
2
1
4
14
Egret, Great
1
<1
1
3
Falcon, Peregrine
.
--
--
--
Finch, House

31
40
193
31
Finch, Purple
1
3
30
12
Flicker, Northern
13
8
33
28
Gadwall
.
<1
3
3
Gnatcatcher,
Blue -gray
.
--
--
--
Goldeneye, Common
.
<1
1
1
Goldfinch, American
16
23
70
30
Goose, Canada
215
151
300
30
Goose, Snow
.
--
--
--
Grackle, Common
2,525
479
3,901
23
Grebe, Horned
.
2
11
14
Grebe, Pied-billed
CW
6
24
29
Grosbeak, Evening
.
--
--
--

Gull, Bonaparte's
37
165
1,200
30
Gull, Herring
.
1
7
5
Gull, Laughing
.
<1
1
1
Gull, Ring-billed
31
669
3,708
31
Harrier, Northern
2
1
6
18
Hawk, Cooper's
1
1
2
17
Hawk, Red-shouldered
2
4
10
30
Hawk, Red-tailed
8
10
23
30
Hawk, Sharp-shinned
.
1
4
14
Heron, Great Blue
5
17
39
31
Heron, Green
.
<1
1
1
Hummingbird, Rufous
.
<1
1
6
Jay, Blue
42
62
247
31
Junco, Dark-eyed
15
71
404
30
Kestrel, American
1
3
10
27
Killdeer
90
27
119
31
Kingfisher, Belted
5
4
14
28
Kinglet, Golden-crowned
1
5
38
22
Kinglet, Ruby-crowned
11
14
48
31
Lark, Prairie Horned
.
<1
3
2
Loon, Common
2
1
5
22
Mallard
33
40
141
30
Meadowlark, Eastern
34
27
114
28
Merganser, Common
.
--
--
--
Merganser, Hooded
10
6
38
19
Merganser, Red-breasted
.
<1
5
3
Merlin
.
--
--
--
Mockingbird, Northern
33
35
99
31
Nuthatch, Brown-headed
3
4
18
29
Nuthatch, Red-breasted
.
<1
1
6
Nuthatch, White-breasted
CW
1
4
13
Oriole, Baltimore
.
<1
1
1
Osprey
.
<1
3
2
Owl, Barred
.
<1
3
8
Owl, E. Screech
.
<1
1
3
Owl, Great Horned
1
<1
3
7
Owl, Northern Saw-whet
.
--
--
--
Phoebe, Eastern
7
6
16
30
Pintail, Northern
.
--
--
--
Pipit, American
.
22
403
13
Redhead
.
--
--
--
Robin, American
548
494
7,705
31
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied
4
4
12
30
Scaup, Greater
.
<1
4
1
Scaup, Lesser
.
3
70
6
Shoveler, Northern
.
--
--
--
Shrike, Loggerhead
CW
1
5
14
Siskin, Pine
.
2
25
2
Snipe, Wilson's
.
<1
4
5
Sparrow sp.
.
8
112
(7)
Sparrow, Chipping
15
28
136
26
Sparrow, Field
8
10
58
25
Sparrow, Fox
.
<1
4
7
Sparrow, House

27
10
48
22
Sparrow, Lincoln's
.
--
--
--
Sparrow, Savannah
1
2
27
11
Sparrow, Song
16
27
91
31
Sparrow, Swamp
.
2
15
14
Sparrow, Vesper
.
1
34
3
Sparrow, White-crowned
.
<1
7
1
Sparrow, White-throated
48
44
179
31
Starling, European
112
499
3,063
31
Teal, Green-winged
.
1
15
3
Teal, Blue-winged
.
--
--
--
Tern, Forster's
.
--
--
--
Thrasher, Brown
2
3
14
26
Thrush, Hermit
.
2
15
25
Titmouse, Tufted
44
20
44
31
Towhee, Eastern
21
20
59
30
Turkey, Wild
.
7
53
8
Vireo, Blue-headed
.
<1
3
4
Vulture, Black
10
41
222
31
Vulture, Turkey
12
58
264
30
Warbler, Black-and-white
.
<1
1
1
Warbler, Palm (Yellow)
3
<1
3
2
Warbler, Pine
6
3
13
27
Warbler, Yellow-rumped
22
30
196
28
Waxwing, Cedar
36
97
1,322
27
Wigeon, American
.
--
--
--
Woodcock, American
1
<1
2
4
Woodpecker, Downy
12
7
17
31
Woodpecker, Hairy
CW
1
3
12
Woodpecker, Pileated
.
1
7
9
Woodpecker, Red-bellied
17
16
41
31
Woodpecker, Red-headed
13
1
13
18
Wren, Carolina
48
25
74
31

Wren, House

.

1

1

4
Wren, Winter
1
1
3
15
Yellowthroat, Common
.
<1
1
2

2021 Individuals

5,126
31-yr avg
4,436
31-yr total
133,076
31-yr Max
12,945

2021 Species

65
31-yr avg
63.1
31-yr Max
80
21 spp. seen every year
Italicized species are possible/probable for the area but have not yet been observed on count day for an official York/Rock Hill CBC.

112 species have been observed at least once over the 31-year history of the count; our local CBC record is 80 species in 2000. Record number of individuals for our local CBC is 12,945 in 1994. Average number of observers in the field is six.

CW = Species seen this year during count week (three days before or three after) but not on count day

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Don't forget to scroll down for lists of all birds banded and recaptured during the week.

HILTON POND SUNSETS
(from our on-going series)

"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise
or too busy to watch the sunset." --BHjr

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Sunset over Hilton Pond (above), 13 December 2021
It was back to Hilton Dam this evening, looking back at
Hilton Cove. You can see our old farmhouse just right of
center through the vegetation, and you'll notice the
dreaded Rootless Duckweed has finally disappeared!
Pendulous over the pond at upper left are Sweetgum
balls--Mother Nature's Christmas tree decorations.

All text, maps, charts & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Sunset over Hilton Pond (above), 21 December 2021
Yet another very gray day with spit-rain on and off as the
winter solstice arrived. Despite the chill there was more
bird activity today than we've seen in weeks; we banded
33 individuals of 10 species. Whew!

The evening image is a silhouette of the big Shagbark
Hickory behind our old farmhouse. That dark cluster in
its limbs at about 10 o'clock is Eastern Mistletoe, a
semi-parasitic kissing stimulant that grows on hardwoods.

Photoshop image post-processing for this page employs
DeNoise AI, Sharpen AI, and other Topaz Lab tools

"This Week at Hilton Pond" is written and photographed by Dr. Bill Hilton Jr., executive director of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History

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Thanks to the following fine folks for recent gifts in support of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History and/or Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project. Your tax-deductible contributions allow us, among other things, to continue writing, photographing, and sharing "This Week at Hilton Pond" with students, teachers, fellow scientists, and the general public. Please scroll below if you'd like to make a gift of your own.

We're pleased folks are thinking about the work of the Center and making donations. Those listed below made contributions received during the period. Please join them if you can in coming weeks.

Gifts can be made via PayPal (funding@hiltonpond.org); credit card via Network for Good (see link below); or personal check (c/o Hilton Pond Center, 1432 DeVinney Road, York SC 29745). You can also donate through our Facebook fundraising page.

The following donors made contributions to Hilton Pond Center during the period 11-21 December 2021:

  • Tom Anderson (long-time supporter)
  • Robert Oesterle (long-time donor; via PayPal)
  • Ann Truesdale* (long-time supporter; via PayPal)
  • The friends below contributed via the "Donate" button on one of the Center's Facebook postings or fund-raisers; some may be repeat contributors. Several have set up through Facebook to make a recurring monthly donation to benefit the Center. Many are long-time donors.
     Diane Dasher, Bob Placier, Tom Morgan, JoAnn Lett, Richard Barnett, Bill Pennington**, Russell Rogers**

    * = past participant in Operation RubyThroat Neotropical Hummingbird expedition
    ** = recurring monthly Facebook donor
 
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The Piedmont Naturalist--Vol. 1--1986 (Hilton Pond Press)
is an award-winning collection of timeless newspaper columns that first appeared in The Herald in Rock Hill SC. Optimized for tablets such as iPad and Kindle, electronic downloads of the now out-of-print paperback volume are available by clicking on the links below. The digital version includes pen-and-ink drawings from the original print edition--plus lots of new color photos.
All sales go to support the work of Hilton Pond Center.

BIRDS BANDED THIS WEEK at
HILTON POND CENTER
11-21 December 2021

SPECIES BANDED THIS PERIOD:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet--1
Golden-crowned Kinglet--5
American Goldfinch--7
Carolina Chickadee--2
Yellow-rumped Warbler--25
Pine Warbler--1
Eastern Phoebe--1
Blue-headed Vireo--1
Northern Cardinal--2
Song Sparrow--1
White-throated Sparrow--1 Downy Woodpecker--1
House Finch--5
American Robin--4
Mourning Dove--3

* = new banded species for 2021

PERIOD BANDING TOTAL:
 15 species
60 individuals

2021 BANDING TOTAL:
81 species (40-yr. avg. = 65.7)
3,063 individuals (40-yr. avg. =
1,871.6)
265 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

40-YEAR BANDING GRAND TOTAL:
(Banding began 28 June 1982; since then 173 species have been observed on or over the property.)
128 species banded
74,865 individuals banded
6,909 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds banded since 1984

NOTABLE RECAPTURES THIS WEEK:
(with original banding date, verified sex, and current age):

Carolina Chickadee (1)
06/02/19--3rd year female

Northern Cardinal (1)
06/02/19--3rd year female
10/09/19--after 2nd year female

White-throated Sparrow (3)
11/30/19--3rd year unknown
12/28/19--3rd year unknown
12/21/20--2nd year female

Tufted Titmouse (3)
05/17/19--after 3rd year male
10/27/20--after hatch year female
11/08/20--2nd year male

Song Sparrow (1)
01/17/19--after 3rd year unknown

Carolina Wren (1)
10/13/18--4th year female

** Notable local longevity for species
(none this week)

OTHER NATURE NOTES:
--A female Golden-crowned Kinglet on 21 Dec was our 3,050th banded bird of 2021, surpassing our tally from 1994 and making this our third most productive year in four decades of research at Hilton Pond Center--exceeded only in 1993 (3,499 bandings) and by our all-time high of 4,061 in 1991.

--A Blue-headed (Solitary) Vireo this week was only our 20th banded at the Center since 1982--and our second this fall.

--As of 21 Dec, the Hilton Pond's 2021 Yard List stood at 111--about 64% of 173 avian species encountered locally since 1982, tying our record set last year. (Incidentally, 106 of those species so far this year have been observed from the windows or porches of our old farmhouse!) If you're not keeping a Yard List for your own property we encourage you to do so, and to report your sightings via eBird, where you, too, can be a "citizen scientist!") New species observed locally during the period 11-21 Dec: None this week.

--Our immediate past installment of "This Week at Hilton Pond" was about our 3,000th banded bird of 2021. It's archived and always available on our Web site as Installment #759.

All text & photos © Hilton Pond Center


Oct 15 to Mar 15:
East of the Rockies please report your sightings of
Vagrant & Winter Hummingbirds

(immature male Rufous Hummingbird at right)

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Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is a non-profit research, conservation & education organization in York, South Carolina USA; phone (803) 684-5852. Directed by Dr. Bill Hilton Jr., aka "The Piedmont Naturalist," it is parent organization for Operation RubyThroat. Web site contents--including text and photos--may NOT be duplicated, modified, or used in any way except with express written permission of Hilton Pond Center. All rights reserved worldwide. To request permission for use or for further assistance, please contact Webmaster.