33rd Litchfield-Pawleys Island CBC

The results of the 33rd Litchfield-Pawleys Island CBC are complete save for a few minor details. Count day was Dec. 30th which basically was quite warm 62-67 degrees and with brisk south winds much of the day. There were 39 observers in 15-16 parties + 1 feeder watcher. Gary Phillips did a Hummingbird run and I worked the ocean part of the count in a small boat in the morning.

There were a total of 157 species seen and 34,873 individuals counted. Two species accounted for almost 20,000 individuals: Common Grackle and Red-winged Blackbird.

There were several birds missed that are usually found on the count namely N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, Canvasback Redhead, and N. Bobwhite.

The good finds for this count were Common Goldeneye, Tundra Swan, 41 American White Pelicans, Marbled Godwit, Ruby-throated and Rufous Hummingbird and ...

One new bird was added to the cumulative total and that was a Masked Booby seen by an experienced birder, Wendy Allen, working the Pawleys Island beach area. Originally reported as a booby species at the countdown, the details submitted including a sketch to my mind supported a species listing. This report is unprecedented on a US mainland Christmas Bird Count. The only other records of this species are from French Frigate Shoals, Laysan Island and O'ahu, all count circles from Hawaii.

Again we could have used more help at the western part of the circle a number of very birdy private plantations were not covered. I want to thank Donna Slyce who came more than three hours distance to participate in the western part of the L-PI count.

Thanks to all who counted in the L-PI CBC. I invite you to join us this year on Thursday, December 30, 2004 for the 34th Litchfield-Pawleys Island CBC.

Jack Peachey, Co-compiler