A series of very wet storms preceded the count period this season. Associated west winds blew in a surprising array of tube-nosed species to coastal areas. The combination of El Niño conditions and a mysterious warm water “blob” off the coast of Oregon had already positioned many pelagic species well north of their expected Pacific Ocean ranges. Much of the near-shore action occurred in the week leading up to the count period, but there were multiple reports of storm-petrels lingering along the coast as well as a Manx Shearwater at Coos Bay, OR for the first week of the season.
A King Eider spent much of the winter at Padilla Bay, WA and a total of 11 Yellow-billed Loons were reported from Western Washington. Interesting shorebird species included a Long-billed Curlew at Padilla Bay and a very cooperative and well documented Mountain Plover at Yaquina Bay, OR. Lesser Black-backed Gull has become annual in Eastern Washington where at least one was noted at Tri-Cities, WA. A Forster’s Tern was seen at Oak Harbor, WA.
A Northern Hawk Owl was counted at Bridgeport, WA. This bird became the center of a controversy in the post-count season. A local resident became angry about the attention the bird was getting from visiting birders. He had requested that no photos be taken of the bird while it was on his property, even posting a sign, but this request was (apparently) ignored by birders. The bird was found dead and hanging by a foot from a tree on January 9th. The shooting was investigated and criminal charges led to a $5000 fine. Discussion continues on the culpability of over-aggressive birders, particularly birding photographers, in this incident.
A Common Ground-Dove that appeared in early November remained long enough to be counted on the Columbia Estuary, OR count. An Ash-throated Flycatchers at Vashon, WA was the only bird to linger into the count season from an unusually robust post-breeding dispersal of Tyrant Flycatchers. Also notable was an unusual northward dispersal of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers which included reports as far north as Tillamook Bay, OR. Numbers of over-wintering Neotropical species, particularly warblers and orioles was also notable.
There were 48 counts conducted in Oregon and 40 in Washington this season. The weather was probably a factor in keeping many counts below normal. Coos Bay, OR posted the highest species count for the region at 163 with Sequim-Dungeness, WA in second place at 154. Coquille Valley, OR saw 146 species. Everett, WA was a notable second place for Washington species numbers with 140. Klamath Falls, OR was the high count east of the Cascades, followed by Tri-Cities, WA and Lyle, WA. In summary, 55% of Washington counts found more than 100 species. Oregon counts were lower at 44% which may be an artifact of having more counts east of the Cascade Crest.
Most compilers were very thorough in putting together documentation for unusual species. A House Wren from Sequim-Dungeness, WA contained enough supporting documentation to pass muster - genuinely rare thing. Several other reported species in the region were not quite so thoroughly described and were either downgraded or excised.
Finally, I have had the privilege of being the regional editor for Oregon and Washington Christmas Bird Counts for 20 years and I think it is time to pass the torch to someone else in the Cascadia Region. The 2015-16 season will be my last. I am working with the knowledgeable regional birders and National Audubon folks to find a replacement (or replacements). I would, once again, like to thank all the count compilers, records committee members and other regional experts for their help in evaluating records throughout the years.