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December 19, 2004

 

Christmas Bird Count 2004 - Smoky Hill Audubon Society - Salina, KS

 

A tradition among birders since 1900, the Christmas Bird Count is an annual event now held in nearly 2,000 locations across the country. Each count has a designated 15-mile diameter circle and numerous participants spend a day trying to tally all the birds in that zone. Here are a few photographs from the 2004 count in and around Salina. What a fun day!

 

Red-winged Blackbird - This male should have a red and yellow patch on the wing, but it should not have any white feathers. After talking with Dr. Rintoul (K-State University), the likely cause of this localized "albinism" is probably a somatic mutation. The melanin is lacking in some of the primaries and coverts. This individual is located in Indian Rock Park.

 

Red-tailed Hawk

 

Northern Cardinal - this female was very excited (notice the raised crest) but she still wouldn't venture out in the open

 

White-breasted Nuthatch

 

Striped Skunk - more than avian species were seen!!

 

Spotlight Archive

 

   Images © Judd Patterson