Avian enthusiasts prepare for annual Christmas Bird Count

It wasn’t just the usual suspects showing up for the Mon Valley’s annual Christmas Bird Count.

While counters noted a slight drop in hairy woodpeckers — 17 spotted last year compared to 20 the year before — the 2024 survey yielded a fantastic collection of new species, providing a fresh snapshot of regional avian life.

Nick Stahlman, community conservation coordinator for the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, said these annual snapshots, though just one-day events, are beginning to reveal crucial long-term trends.

Over a longer time frame, its results can reveal trends in migratory patterns and show how a changing climate is affecting how birds live their lives.

For the Mon Valley, the count is only in its third year, so many new species are still being added to the overall list. But Stahlman said they are still making some interesting finds.

“Some folks who were biking along the Great Allegheny Passage in Pittsburgh spotted an American kestrel along the trail,” Stahlman said. “While it’s not a super rarity, it is pretty rare to find them that close to the city. You typically see them in rural or agricultural areas.”

One survey site in the Mon Valley was a graveyard with a well-maintained pond, and counters spotted a couple of ring-necked mallards.

“Those are always nice to see, rather than your regular mallard or Canada geese,” he said.

Several individual birds were spotted for the first time by Mon Valley counters in 2024, including the sharp-shinned hawk, a herring gull and an Eastern screech owl.

This year, bird counts will take place on the following dates, locations and contacts for those interested in participating:

• Dec. 20: Buffalo Creek Valley (Todd Nature Reserve and Buffalo Creek Nature Park), contact George Reese at g.reese@gaiconsultants.com.

• Dec. 21: Mon Valley, contact Stahlman at 412-904-7495 or email nstahlman@aswp.org.

• Dec. 27: Pittsburgh, including the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, call 412-963-6100 or email Brian Shema at bshema@aswp.org.

• Dec. 28: South Butler, including Succop Nature Park, call 412-963-6100 or email Chris Kubiak at ckubiak@aswp.org.

Participation is free and experience isn’t necessary, Stahlman said.

“We’re always looking to recruit new people, and we’ll pair them and send them out with our experienced volunteers,” he said. “This year we have a volunteer who’s familiar with the Braddock-East Braddock-Braddock Hills area who knows a few out-of-the-way spots he’s going to survey in that part of the Mon Valley.”

For more information, visit Audubon’s website at ASWP.org.