COOK— Participants in the Cook area Christmas Bird Count, held Dec. 28, set a some new records this year, none more outstanding than the 634 white-winged crossbills reported by the 40 participants in this year’s count.
“There were likely many more that did not get counted,” noted count coordinator Julie Grahn. “They were traveling in large flocks feeding on seeds of spruces and tamarack.  If I counted correctly, they have only been seen on five of our areas bird counts in the past and the greatest number seen previously was only 26.”  A bumper crop of spruce and tamarack cones appear to have attracted large numbers of these northern nomads to the area this year.
“Crossbills feed exclusively on conifer cone seeds and yes, their bills cross,” said Grahn. “This allows them to pry open the cones’ scales to get at the seed.  They are fun to watch eating as they hang from branches, much like a parrot would while they work at opening up the cones.”
Counters also recorded a record number of ruffed grouse, with 36 being sighted. “I had wondered how the very rainy weather and flooding we had in June might have affected these ground nesting birds,” said Grahn. “Apparently, many chicks survived to adulthood.”
Other northern finches, including goldfinches, purple finches, redpolls, and pine siskins, were found in abundance as well.
“Another species that is being seen often this winter that is exciting, is the great gray owl,” said Grahn. “It is what is referred to as an irruptive year for them. Many are coming south in search of food. They are North America’s largest owl in total length and quite impressive to see.  They mostly eat small rodents despite their large size.”
This year’s count was conducted under mild conditions, with temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s. Heavy fog was a problem for observers as it interfered with their ability to spot and identify more distant birds.  “When I was out looking with my route partner, we could sometimes hear birds but could not see them but for a quick glimpse when they got closer before they disappeared back into the fog,” said Grahn.
It’s now been 125 years since the first annual Christmas Bird Count, which was created by the National Audubon Society as an alternative to New Year’s Day bird shoots that used to be common.  This was the 22nd year that the Cook area had participated in the count. 
A total of 40 people took part in the Cook count this year, split about evenly between those who observed their own bird feeders and those who got out on foot or by vehicle to count birds along area roads and trails. Observers traveled a total of 238.4 miles during 49 total hours of observing. Feeder watchers contributed an additional 38.75 hours to the count.
A total of 2,537 birds were recorded, including 29 species.
The full tally of birds is as follows.  The list includes an additional four species seen during the count week (identified with cw).
Ruffed Grouse  36
Wild Turkey  1
Bald Eagle  5
Rock Pigeon  32
Great Gray Owl  cw
Owl species  1
Downy Woodpecker  24
Hairy Woodpecker  33
American three-toed Woodpecker  cw
Pileated Woodpecker  8
Northern Shrike  2
Canada Jay  6
Blue Jay  119
Black-billed Magpie  7
American Crow  48
Common Raven  98
Black-capped Chickadee  355
Boreal Chickadee  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch  121
White-breasted Nuthatch  48
Brown Creeper  1
European Starling  60
Bohemian Waxwing cw
Snow Bunting  cw
Pine Grosbeak  48
Purple Finch  253
Red Crossbill  4
White-winged Crossbill  634
Common Redpoll  267
Pine Siskin  155
American Goldfinch  113
Evening Grosbeak  4
House Sparrow  53
Thanks to Julie Grahn for compiling the above information.