BBC Snippets

Link: http://www.freelists.org/archives/bristol-birds/02-2008/msg00101.html

Most Christmas Bird Counts which have had longevity and some form of continuity have evolved over the years. The patterns obviously reflect how birders went about the endeavor, resources and materials available as well as roads, access and communication limitations of the era.

The Mount Rogers-White Top Mountain CBC is an example of that so called evolution. It clearly reflects a history that has enjoyed three distinct eras.

 The first era spanned five years in which Fred W. Behrend of the Herndon bird club of Elizabethton, TN and Stephen M. Russell of the Bristol Bird Club created the count. They birded in an area where there was not a great deal of birding taking place. There were few birders in the region who savored the challenges presented by the weather in the very high elevations of the South Appalachian Mountain and its Blue Ridge ranges.

Behrend, (above) a native German who spoke with a heavy accent, was a meticulous record keeper. He once said he had hiked Roan Mountain and nearby peaks once a weak for 25 years in all weather. He was one of the great pioneers who left a very extensive volume of records and birding history. Many of his hikes would cover 20 miles or more.

The Bristol Bird Club was founded in March 1950 with Stephen M. Russell as a teenage charter member. Along with his mentor, Behrend, they conducted the Mt. Rogers count (1950-1954) until Russell was away to college and no longer available to participate. To the best of our knowledge. Neither of them ever returned there for a Christmas Bird Count.

The middle era turns out to be a time of continuance when Paul S. Delaney of Abingdon, VA took up the count and continued it for 1957, 1958 and 1960. The rest of that era was taken under the wing of Bristol Bird Club birders who carried on most years from 1965 to 1971. Wallace Coffey provided much of that leadership and two years were missed due to family illness.

Birders going afield to Virginia's two highest mountains (Mt. Rogers and Whitetop)often endured harsh conditions with few birds. Birding under such conditions these days is virtually unheard of and counts facing dangerous environments are usually rescheduled.

The early birders went on in whatever nature had to offer. There were few around who paid much attention. There was always a sense that the challenge was part of the count. It was the count of Dec. 23, 1967 which is frequently remembered. Five birders headed out in two parties up the slopes of Whitetop and off to the peak of Mt. Rogers at 7:50 a.m. Counting birds in a snow flurries, the group moved on with the temperature ranging 5° to 8° and the wind at times howling at 25 m.p.h. Still the birders covered six and one-half miles on foot.

The conditions became so dark and the wind so hard that two members, Hank Woodward and Coffey became disoriented on Whitetop. Birder Tony Decker who had made it back to Elk Garden by 1 p.m. with Gerry Delantonas and David McPeak, used two-way radios and a U.S. Forest Service four-wheel drive truck to find them. They were in the edge of the conifers down on the ground behind logs to break the driving snow and wind. All of the birders had ended the count by 1:30 p.m.

That count recorded only 21 birds and 8 species The best species found was two Pine Siskin. The editor of Audubon's American Birds annual Christmas Bird Count edition cited the Mt. Rogers count as the nation's second lowest for species, exceeded only by a birder on a dogsled in the northwest area of Canada.

Temperatures on this count frequently were below 20 degrees. The more recent party of Jan 4, 2003 began their count with the temperature at 8 degrees but it was up to 30 degrees before their count ended in late afternoon.

On Dec. 20, 1969 a group of six birders were afield from 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. They birded in overcast and then clear conditions as the temperature ranged from 8° to 9°. The wind reached 15 m.p.h. and they hiked 12 party miles in 2-4 in. snow cover. Many streams were frozen. The group of Bill Bridgforth, Wallace Coffey, Anthony M. Decker, David McPeak, Pete Range and Brent Rowell put in 17 party hours which were all on foot. The total was 17 species, 115 individuals.

The winter of 1963-64 in Virginia was witness to the greatest invasion of northern birds on record. The three most prominent visitors were the Evening Grosbeak, White-winged Crossbills and Red Crossbills.

On Dec. 31, 1965 52 White-winged Crossbill, were observed on the Mt. Rogers-Whitetop CBC by Fletcher Bingham, Bill Bridgforth, Jr., Wallace Coffey, Charles Smith and Henry "Hank" Woodward. A few years before, Paul Dulaney had 35 of the White-winged Crossbills on the count on Dec 31, 1960. He was the only person on that count.

Two Snow Buntings were found by Russell on the Dec 28, 1952 count.

Fred Behrend found a Golden Eagle in 1953.

Due to the lack of available participants by the decade of the 70's, the count was not conducted for nearly 30 years until Allen Boynton took up the organization and compilation of the count in 2000. It has continued every year since.

The third era and present era could be called the custodians of today as Boynton and members of the Blue Ridge Birders carry on the count. In this modern era, the count is actually conducted over most of the 15-mile diameter circle as all Audubon CBCs are designed. The Roan Mountain CBC in Northeast Tennessee covers a large part of the circle but it does not usually have a large number of participants. Counts in the Mount Rogers circle area sometimes have eleven participants which is about double what the largest of any earlier counts had.

The roads up to Elk Garden Gap between Virginia's two highest mountains were no where near as wide and well paved as they are today. It was often difficult to get birders together from Elizabethton, Johnson City and Bristol to be on foot in 8 degrees temperature and/or snowfall before 7 a.m.

Mt. Rogers, Va. (from Elk Garden Gap to top of mountain and Wilburn Ridge. Return to origin via valleys of Cabin Ridge and Briar Creeks; elevation range: 4450' to 57l9'; deciduous forest 41%, grassy fields 35%, spruce~fir forest 24%). Dec. 23; 7:55 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. Clouds on mountain in morning clearing by noon; temp. 26° to 38° to 36°; wind NW to W, 10-35 m.p.h.; depth of snow increasing from 3 inches in Elk Garden Gap to 16 inches on top; streams mostly frozen; snow and ice thawing rapidly in afternoon. Two observers working singly and together. Total party hours 13.25; total party miles 12.5 (by foot) Total 15 species, 57 individuals. -- Fred W. Behrend, Stephen M. Russell.

Mount Rogers, Virginia (same area as last year with addition of Whitetop Mountain; elevation range 4400 to 5710 :ft..; deciduous forest 45/0, grassy fields 55%', spruce-fir forest 20%). December 23; 7 a.m.to 5 p.m.; cloudy to clearing; temp. 25° to 36°; wind SW, 0-15 m.p.h.; depth of snow increasing from none in Elk Garden Gap to 6 inches on top. Much ice on streams. Two observers in two parties. Total party-hours, 19 1/4 (all on foot); total party-miles, 22. Total, 15 species; 107 individuals. -- Fred W. Behrend, Stephen M. Russell.

Mt. Rogers, Va. (Area same as last two years; elevation 4400 to 5719 ft.; deciduous forest 40%, grassy fields 32%, spruce~fir forest 28%. Dec. 28, 6:45 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. Clear; temp. 11° to 26°; wind NW to W, 0-12 m.p.h. no snow below 5200 ft., about 3 in. hard crusted snow on top streams partially frozen over. Two observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours, 19 1/2 (all on foot), total party-miles, 25 (on foot). Purple Finch, 27; Pine Siskin, 68; Red Crossbill, 1; Snow Bunting, 2 (pair observed closely in rocky grassy field at 5100 ft. on Briar Ridge, large amount of white in wings end typical call note were noted by observer familiar with species - S.M.R.). Total, 17 species; 236 individuals. -- Fred W. Behrend, Stephen M. Russell.

Mt. Rogers, Va. (same as in previous years; elevation range 4400 to 5719 feet; deciduous forest 40%, grassy fields 30%, spruce~fir forest 30%. Dec. 27, 6:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Clear; temp. 18° to 28°; wind NW to W, 0-6 m.p.h.; little snow except in sheltered spots; streams partially frozen over. Four observers in two parties. Total party-hours, 19.5, total party-miles, 24 (all on foot). Golden Eagle, 1 (F.W.B.), Pine Siskin, 200; Red Crossbill 2. Total, 22 species; 714 individuals. -- Fred W. Behrend, Douglas A. Patterson, Stephen M. Russell (compiler), A. Randolf Shields.

Mt. Rogers, Va. (same area as previous years with additional coverage of eastern approaches to Mt. Rogers: First Peak, Second Peak, Third Peak, Stone Mountain and Pine Mountain; elevation range 4400 to 5719 ft. (highest point in Virginia); deciduous forest 40%, grassy fields 38%, spruce-fir forest 22%). December 26; 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Clear; temp 26° to & 59°; wind SE, 0-5 m.p.h.; snow ranging in depth from 12 in. in Elk Garden Gap to 28 in. crusted snow on summit; little ice on streams. Six observers in 3 parties. Total party-hours, 27; total party-miles, 30 (all on foot). Evening Grosbeak, 27; Pine Siskin, 10, Red Crossbill 1. Total, 24 species; 188 individuals. -- Fred W. Behrend, Richard L. Diener, Douglas A, Patterson, Stephen H. Russell (compiler), A. Randolf Shields, Edwin O. Willis. (Notes: There are no new cones on the spruce and fir trees this year compared to the very heavy crop of last year. This is certainly at least partially responsible for the marked drop in nlli~ers of Red-breasted Nuthatches, Siskins, White-breasted Nuthatches and Tufted Titmouse also were in reduced numbers. Snow fall this winter is much above average. The mountain had not been bare of snow on top since very early November, and the accumulated snow averaged 28-30 inches. However, this snow cover has prevented the ground temperature from dropping below 34° (Dec. 26). Grouse were way below usual numbers. The four seen this year were recorded on the additional area which was new this year; none were seen on the same route that produced 18 in 1952. The two Pileated Woodpeckers were seen at 4600' in the new coverage. This is the highest these birds have been noted at any season in the vicinity of the mountain. The Horned Larks constitute the first census record but have been recorded there in December. The Robins were noted as they flew over Elk Garden Gap (4450'). The Evening Grosbeaks were seen by all parties but in all cases were in flight over the mountain. They apparently preferred the valley. Junco's were low, probably due to the snow. No birds seen above 5200' on Mt. Rogers; Red-breasted Nuthatch at 5500' on White Top.)

Mt. Rogers (Elk Garden Gap to summit of Mt. Rogers and western slopes of Pine Mountain; elevation range 4500 to 5719 ft. (highest point in Virginia); deciduous woodland 40%, grassy fields 40%, spruce-fir forest 20%). - Dec. 23; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Clear; temp. 25° to 55°; wind NE, 5-15 m.p.h.; no snow on ground. One observer. Total party-hours, 9 (all on foot); total party-miles, 10 (all on foot). Evening Grosbeak, 25; Total: 15 species; 106 individuals. - Paul S. Dulaney..

Mt. Rogers, Va. (same area as last year; deciduous woodland 40%, grassy fields 40%, spruce-fir forest 20%). -- Dec. 23; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cloudy, light rain in afternoon; temp. 25° to 40°; wind W, 15-30 m.p.h.; ground bare in open, snow 1-6 inches deep in woods. One observer. Total party-hours, 9 (all on foot); total party-miles, 11 (all on foot). Total, 10 species; 57 individuals. -- Paul S. Dulaney.

Mt. Rogers, Va. (Elk Garden Gap to sumnit of Mt. Rogers; elevation range 4500 to 5719 ft.; deciduous woodland 50%, grassy fields 30%, sprucefir forest 20%). -- Dec. 31, 1960. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clear a.m., cloudy p.m.; temp. 25° to 40°; wind S, 0-15 m.p.h.; ground generally bare in open, snow up to one foot in woods. One observer. Total party-hours, 7; total party-miles, 7 (all on foot). Purple Finch, 12; White-winged Crossbill, 35; Total, 12 species, 100 individuals. -- Paul S. Dulaney.

Mt. Rogers-Whitetop (all points within a 15-mile diameter circle, center at junction of Routes 600 and 603, including peaks of Mt. Rogers and Whitetop in Grayson and Smyth Counties; from the saddle up to Mt. Rogers along logging road via Elk Garden and from the saddle to Whitetop via the main road; deciduous woodland 50%, grassy fields and extensive briar patches 30%, spruce and fir forest 20% ).-Dec. 31, 1965; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fair; temp. 39° to 46°; wind NW, 20-25 m.p.h.; ground bare. Five observers in 2 parties. Total partyhours, 16 (all on foot); total party-miles, 15 (all on foot). Red-breasted Nuthatch, 23; Brown Creeper, 7; Pine Siskin, 90; White-winged Crossbill, 52; Total, 18 species; 368 individuals. Observers: Fletcher Bingham (cocompiler), Bill Bridgforth, Jr., Wallace Coffey (co-compiler), Charles Smith, Henry Woodward.

Mt. Rogers-Whitetop (all points within a 15-miles diameter circle, center at Junction of Routes 600 and 603, to include peaks of Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, state's highest and second highest peaks respectively; from the Saddle upwards to Mt. Rogers at 5729 ft., along road via Elk Garden and to Whitetop via road; deciduous woods, 50%, grassy fields 30%, spruce-fir forest 20%). Dec. 23, 1966 8:05 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Overcast then snowstorm; temp 26° to 32°; wind S, 5-6 m.p.h.; 4-in. snow cover in woods, weather bureau emergency warning forced us to get off mountains early. Seven observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours 10 (all on foot); total party-miles 12 (all on foot). Observers: Fletcher Bingham, Wallace Coffey, (compiler)A.ME. Decker, Robert Quillen, John Shumate, Charles Smith, Henry Woodward. Total: 11 species, 527 individuals.

Mt. Rogers-Whitetop (all points within a 15-mile diameter circle, center at junction of Routes 600 and 603, to include peaks of Mt. Rogers and Whitetopand the saddle between them; deciduous woods 50%, grassy fields 30'70, spruce-fir forest 20%).-Dec. 23, 1967; 7:50 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Snow flurries; temp. 5° to 8°; wind W-SW, 4-25 m.p.h.; 0 to 2 in. snow cover. Five observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours, 5 1/2 (4 1/2 on foot, 1 by truck); total party-miles, 18 1/2 (6 1/2 on foot, 12 by truck). Pine Siskin 2; Observers: Wallace Coffey, A. M. Decker, Gerry Delantonas (compiler), David McPeak, Henry Woodward. Total: 8 species, 21 individuals.

MT. ROGERS-WHITETOP. (all points within a 15-mile diameter circle, center at junction of Routes 600 and 603, to include peaks of both mountains; from the saddle up to Mt. Rogers at 5729 ft., along logging road via Elk Garden and to Whitetop via road; deciduous woods 50%, grassy fields 30%, spruce-fir forest 20%). -Dec. 20, 1969; 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Overcast, then clear; temp. 8° to 9°; wind SE, 10-15 m.p.h.; 2-4 in. snow cover, many streams frozen. Six observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours, 17 (all on foot); total party-miles, 12 (all on foot). Red Crossbills 6, Pine Siskin 3, Evening Grosbeak 3. Observers: Bill Bridgforth, J. Wallace Coffey (compiler), Anthony M. Decker, David McPeak, Pete Range, Brent Rowell. Total: 17 species, 115 individuals.

MT. ROGERS-WHITETOP (all points within a 15-mile diameter, center at junction of Virginia routes 600 and 603, to include peaks of Mt. Rogers and Whitetop; from the Saddle to peak of Mt. Rogers along logging road via Elk Garden and to the peak of Whitetop via main road; deciduous woodland 50%, grassy fields 30%, spruce-fir forest 20%; elevation up to 5729 feet) .-Dec. 28, 1971; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Light sleet and rain; temp. 45° to 49°; wind NE to NW, 20-30 m.p.h.; foggy with limited visibility. Nine observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours, 16 (all on foot); total party-miles, 16 (all on foot). Observers: Wallace Coffey, Anthony Decker, Ken Hale, Joseph Jackson, David McPeak, David McPeake, Jr., Brent Rowell (compiler), John Todd, Henry Woodard. Total: 10 species, 37 individuals.

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE Top MOUNTAIN. 36° 39' N 81 ° 35' W Circle Center: Jct. 600 and 603. 36° 39' N 81° 35' W. Field data: Count date: Dec 27, 2000. Times in field: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Temperatures: 18° to 28° F. Wind variable, 1-5 mph. AM Cloudy Rain: None Snow: Light PM Cloudy. Rain: None Snow: Light . Snow depth: 1-36 inches. Still water frozen, moving water partly frozen. Field observers: 8 in 1-5 parties. Total party-hours: 21.5 (7.5 on foot, 14.0 by car). Total party-miles: 86.00 (11 on foot, 75 by car). Observers: Not reported. Compiler: Allen Boynton

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE Top MOUNTAIN. 36° 39' N 81 ° 35' W Circle Center: Jct. 600 and 603. 36° 39' N 81° 35' W. Field data: Count date: 5 Jan 2002. Times in field: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Temperatures:28° to 41° F. Wind variable, 0-32 mph. AM partly cloud rain. PM pcd skies partly cloudy. Snow depth: 0 inches. Still water frozen, moving water partly frozen. Field observers: 7 in 4 parties. Total party-hours: 30.5 (10.5 on foot, 20.0 by car). Total party-miles: 256.50 (9.5on foot, 247 by car). Observers: Not reported. Compiler: Allen Boynton

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE TOP MOUNTAIN. Circle Center: Jct. 600 and 603. 36° 39' N 81° 35' W. Field data: Count date: 4 Jan 2003. Times in field: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Temperatures: 8° to 30° F. Wind NW, 5-20 mph. AM skies cloudy, light to no snow. PM skies clear. Snow depth: 0-3 inches. Still water partly open, moving water partly frozen. Field observers: 16 in 6 parties. Total party-hours: 44.5 (22.25 on foot, 22.25 by car). Total party-miles: 277.5 (23.5 on foot, 254 by car). Observers: Not reported. Compiler: Allen Boynton. Total species: 46; Total individuals: 1,797.

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE TOP MOUNTAIN. Circle Center: Jct. rts. 600 and 603. 36° 39' N 81° 35' W. Field data: Count date: 3 Jan 2004. Times in field: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Temperature: 45° to 55° F. Wind 5-15 mph. AM cloudy. None to light rain. PM partly cloudy. Water open. Field observers: 9 in 4 parties. Total party-hours: 36.75 (18.5 on foot, 18.25 by car). Total party-miles: 220.5(18.5 on foot, 202 by car). Common Raven 18; Red Crossbill 5; Pine Siskin 68 Observers: Jim Best, Jerry Blevins, Allen Boynton (compiler), Glen Eller, Scott Jackson/Ricketts, Gale Kuebler, Robert Perkins , Darroch Whitaker. Total species: 45; Total individuals: 1,397. .

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE TOP MOUNTAIN. Circle Center: Jct. rts. 600 and 603. 36"39' N 81" 35' W. Field data: Count date: 2 Jan 2005. Times in field: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Temperature range: 45° to 60° F. Wind calm. AM cloudy. PM clear. Water open. Field observers: 5 in 1 to 5 parties. Total party-hours: 35.5 (5.5 on foot, 30 by car). Total party-miles: 187 (7 on foot, 180 by car). Observers: Jim Best, Jerry Blevins. Allen Boynton (compiler), James Coman, Jr., Glen Eller, Scott Jackson/Ricketts, Alice Keighton, Jim Keighton, William Roberts. Total species: N/A; Total individuals: N/A. Organizations/Sponsors: Blue Ridge Birders.

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE TOP MOUNTAIN. Circle Center: Jct. rts. 600 and 603. 36"39' N 81" 35' W. Field data: Count date: Jan 2, 2006. Times in field: N/A a.m. to N/A p.m. Temperature range: 33° to 54° F. Wind N/A. AM Partly clear, Rain: Light, Snow: None; PM Foggy Rain: Heavy Snow: None. Field observers: 11 in N/A parties. Total party-hours: 33 (N/A on foot, N/A by car). Total party-miles: N/A (N/A on foot, N/A by car). Observers: Allen Boynton (compiler), James Coman, Jr., Eric Harrold, Scott Jackson/Ricketts, Alice Keighton, Jim Keighton, Gale Kuebler, Ron Morris, Jon Rockett, Peter Zwadyk Total species: N/A; Total individuals: N/A.

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE TOP MOUNTAIN. Circle Center: Jct. rts. 600 and 603. 36"39' N 81" 35' W. Field data: Count date: Dec 31, 2006. Times in field: N/A a.m. to N/A p.m.. Temperature range: 41° to 45° F. Wind N/A. AM Foggy Rain: Light Snow: None PM Cloudy Rain: Light Snow: None. . Field observers: 9 in N/A parties. Total party-hours: 23 (N/A on foot, N/A by car). Total party-miles: N/A (N/A on foot, N/A by car). Observers: Allen Boynton (compiler), Eric Harrold, Scott Jackson/Ricketts, Alice Keighton, Jim Keighton Gale Kuebler, Maggie Kuebler, Ron Morris, Aaron VanArnum. Total species: N/A; Total individuals: N/A.

MOUNT ROGERS-WHITE TOP MOUNTAIN. Circle Center: Jct. rts. 600 and 603. 36"39' N 81" 35' W. Field data: Count date: Dec 29, 2007. Times in field: N/A a.m. to N/A p.m. Temperature range: 37° to 47° F. Wind N/A. AM Foggy Rain: Light Snow: None PM Partly clear, Rain: None, Snow: None. Field observers: 11 in N/A parties. Total party-hours: 28.5 (N/A on foot, N/A by car). Total party-miles: N/A (N/A on foot, N/A by car). Observers: Allen Boynton (compiler) Debbie Davis, Jim Keighton, Gale Kuebler, Maggie Kuebler, Robert Perkins, Ellen Reynolds, Deb Vransky, Eric Vransky, Larry Wilhite, Peter Zwadyk. Total species: N/A; Total individuals: N/A.

From the archives of the Bristol Bird Club