LLCC continues to be a mecca for birds. Tony Rothering, professor of biology, conducted a campus bird count on Dec. 22 and recorded:
Great Blue Heron 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Song Sparrow 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Ring-billed Gull 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
American Robin 4
House Finch 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Mourning Dove 6
American Goldfinch 7
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 16
Blue Jay 17
Dark-eyed Junco 47
House Sparrow 60
American Crow 192
European Starling 260
Canada Goose 490
Also, below is a link to the bird banding report for this past fall (2013) as generated by Vern Kleen. Some of the highlights from Prof. Rothering: we captured 1902 birds of 70 species over 64 banding days (we averaged 30 birds per day). Our high day was Oct. 18 on which we captured and banded 194 birds (mostly goldfinches)!! From a cummulative standpoint … after 3 banding seasons (fall 2012, spring and fall 2013), we have captured ~ 3600 birds of 94 species!
Between classes and individuals, we had 200 LLCC students visit and/or assist at the banding station this fall. We hope this number will continue to grow!
MS — LLCC BBS Fall 2013 Report