Christmas Bird Count Takes Note of Avian Friends
Tracking a bald eagle over Lagoon Pond.
Tracking a bald eagle over Lagoon Pond.
Canada geese are winter regulars in Vineyard skies.
Canada geese are winter regulars in Vineyard skies.
Tom Chase searches for sparrows at Head of the Lagoon.
Tom Chase searches for sparrows at Head of the Lagoon.
An abundance of Carolina wrens were noted this year.
An abundance of Carolina wrens were noted this year.
Luanne Johnson turns her binoculars to the Oak Bluffs Pumping Station.
Luanne Johnson turns her binoculars to the Oak Bluffs Pumping Station.
Female Eastern towhee spotted in the brush.
Female Eastern towhee spotted in the brush.
Margaret Curtin, Nancy Weaver and Jody Angevin worked trail off Lambert's Cove.
Margaret Curtin, Nancy Weaver and Jody Angevin worked trail off Lambert's Cove.
Ken Magnuson, Pete Gilmore and David Stanwood scoping on South Beach.
Ken Magnuson, Pete Gilmore and David Stanwood scoping on South Beach.
The Christmas Bird Count began in 1960 on the Vineyard.
The Christmas Bird Count began in 1960 on the Vineyard.
Male merlin.
Male merlin.
John Clark and Robert Culbert stake out Oyster Watcha Pond.
John Clark and Robert Culbert stake out Oyster Watcha Pond.
Red-throated loon hunts in the surf.
Red-throated loon hunts in the surf.
Mild temps and sunny skies aided birders in their count.
Mild temps and sunny skies aided birders in their count.
Yellow-rumped warbler.
Yellow-rumped warbler.
Ruddy ducks.
Ruddy ducks.
Tabulating the day-long counts at the Wakeman Center.
Tabulating the day-long counts at the Wakeman Center.
The annual Christmas Bird Count had begun, as birders spread out across the Island to spot, count and identify as many birds as possible. It would be a long New Year’s day, starting before dawn and ending in darkness. The birds rarely stayed put, and neither did the birders.