One of the great pleasures of participating in the Christmas Bird Count is seeing old friends and making new ones. On New Year’s Day, the day of Santa Barbara Audubon’s 122nd annual count, I had a late lunch with Robb Hamilton, who grew up in Goleta but moved away many years ago. Robb returns to Santa Barbara each year for the count; this year marked his 42nd count in succession — what an achievement! Robb is tasked with covering Hope Ranch, and I asked him if he has seen many changes over the years. His answer was sobering; not only has the total number of birds plummeted, but diversity has followed suit.
At 194 species seen, the Santa Barbara count was the lowest it has been for several decades. We usually come in with well over 200 species. Why the low number? There are a number of factors besides the aforementioned diminishing populations of many birds. The drought certainly had an effect. While the rains in the weeks leading up to the big day were welcome, they were too late to help with providing food for transient birds that might otherwise be tempted to stay.
Despite the low numbers, there were, as always, highlights. It was a glorious day, sunny and cool with little to no breeze. Before I met up with Robb, I reconnected with another old friend, this one with feathers. On the count nine years ago, I was excited to come across a warbling vireo at Bohnett Park on the Westside. Warbling vireos are common enough as summer residents in the United States but are extremely rare in winter. I was delighted when the bird returned to the same park for a second winter, then a third. Amazingly, this year the bird is back for its ninth winter, and it was one of the first birds I clapped my eyes on at the new year’s dawn. I sometimes talk to birds when no one’s watching, and I think I’ve probably murmured more things to this little beauty than to any other.