Again this years IMBD was outstanding and the best ever in a couple of categories. Twenty six birders began before dawn and continued through dusk covering the Owens Valley, White & Inyo Mountains, eastern Sierra canyons, Deep Springs, and Death Valley. The goal, as always, was to see how many different bird species and how many individual birds can be found in Inyo County on the second Saturday of May.

When 196 bird species were found on the 2000 IMBD the realization that 200 was a possibility raised the ante for this count. Inland counties, without an ocean boundary and the many species tied to that specialized habitat, are hard pressed to break 200 species in a day.

The statistics from this years count: 26 observers was fewer than in the past but they found 199 species, an all time record, totaling 11,252 birds (a record by almost a thousand birds). Of the 199 species 142 were neotropical migrants (5 fewer than the record) who spend the winter in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean and were migrating north to breed in North America. This years most numerous species were Barn Swallow (609), Mourning Dove (473), and California Gull (339). Eight species were new to the count (Dunlin, Ruddy Ground-Dove, Lewiss Woodpecker, Williamsons Sapsucker, Northern Waterthrush, White-throated Sparrow, Dickcissel, and Red Crossbill) bringing the total species seen during IMBDs to 243. Eleven species were seen in larger numbers than ever recorded in the county before: Vauxs Swift (319), Calliope Hummingbird (10), Acorn Woodpecker (9), Hammonds Flycatcher (42), Gray Flycatcher (122), Dusky Flycatcher (79), Stellers Jay (78), Common Raven (310) Violet-green Swallow (241), Townsends Solitaire (32), and Cedar Waxwing (156).

The hale, hardy, and eventually exhausted observers were Jim Parker (north Bishop to Aspendell), Mike & Nancy Prather, Bob Hudson, and Judy Wickman (Lone Pine area), Bob & Barb Toth (Haiwee Reservoir, Sage and Cactus Flats and Dirty Socks), Bill Mitchel, Larry Nahm, Andrew and Leah Kirk (Independence area), Chris Howard and Rosie Beach (Deep Springs and White Mountains), John and Ros Gorham (south of Big Pine), James Wilson (McElvoy Canyon, Inyo Mtns), Debbie House (Buttermilk area), Steve Holland (Starlite area), Jack Ferrell (Rocking K area), Zach Smith and others from PRBO (Horseshow Meadow), Jo Heindel (Big Pine area to Glacier Lodge), and Tom Heindel, Vicki & Gerry Wolfe, and Michael Thornton (Death Valley National Park).

This is the 11th year this international count has been conducted and the sixth for Inyo County. This is a cooperative global effort to inventory birds during migration. Many species are in serious trouble because of habitat destruction in both their wintering and summering grounds so counts like this one help scientists determine the severity of the problem and which species are most heavily impacted. While the observers benefited from their discoveries and the camaraderie shared with those with the same goal, the birds benefited with another year of data collection by a dedicated group of committed citizens. If you are interesting in becoming a part of this endeavor call Jo Heindel (938-2764). Previous birding experience is necessary and there is plenty of time to get ready for next years effort to break 200 bird species.

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