STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Around 50 people participated in Staten Island’s annual Christmas Bird Count, held recently as part of a nationwide effort to identify and count the species in their area.
Cliff Hagen, president of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods and the present compiler of the Christmas Bird Count, told the Advance/SILive that this year’s Staten Island count yielded a total of 27,000 birds throughout 13 different territories in the borough. He added 115 different species were spotted.
“We do our best to find out exactly how many birds there are and where they are,” Hagen said.
Hagen went to say that while this year’s count was fairly typical, approximately 8,000 Canada geese were spotted — a particularly exorbitant amount for the species.
“I think a lot of it is weather dependent,” Hagen said. “It snowed a lot up north, and lakes and ponds froze up. So, birds that might still have been up north were forced by that storm to start heading south. The weather really disrupts the habitat of the birds.”
Hagen also pointed out that 14 bald eagles were spotted, another particularly high amount for the endangered species.
“We never had that many before,” Hagen said. “We often get a bald eagle or two, and our previous high was 12. So, to have 14, was a real treat.”
On Saturday, Dec. 17, around 50 people participated in Staten Island’s annual Christmas Bird Count. The count yielded 27, 000 birds of 115 different species. (Photo Credit: Colleen Evans, Director of Natural Science Interpretation and Collections at the Staten Island Museum)
This year’s count also received some extra help from several urban park rangers, who conducted a part of the count throughout the Greenbelt, which Hagen called a “big asset.”
The data collected during the Christmas Bird Count is collated by the National Audubon Society for use by researchers, conservation biologists and wildlife organizations. When combined with data from other surveys taken at other times of year, researchers can get a handle on the changes in the size and range of bird populations in North America.
“As we’re thinking of these numbers, this data also helps protectors,” Hagen said. “When we are looking to advocate for the preservation of open space, we look at these records and see which birds utilize open space. So, there’s meaningful, purposeful local need for this data as well.”
On Saturday, Dec. 17, around 50 people participated in Staten Island’s annual Christmas Bird Count. The count yield 27,000 birds of 115 different species. (Photo Credit: Cliff Hagen)
Born from a proposal by Frank M. Chapman in 1900 and sponsored by the National Audubon Society, this annual event has grown significantly over the past century and now includes birders in just about every corner of the country.
Although the first nationwide Christmas Bird Counts were held in 1900, there were only 27 participants across the entire United States. It wasn’t until 1908 that Staten Island was included in the count.
“I would say the Christmas Bird Count, like many Christmas traditions, brings joy and community to Staten Island,” Hagen said. “It lets us gather as a group to celebrate the birds of Staten Island and our accomplishments of creating this Borough of Parks and preserving this Borough of Parks for the birds.”
“There’s a particular enjoyment in being outdoors, on the beach, or in the woods on a crisp winter day,” he added. “To connect with the wildlife of Staten Island and to see fox and deer while counting these birds, it’s the whole package.”
“You really get a sense of the marvel of nature right here on the doorstep of New York City.”
Cliff Hagan (second from right), President of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, was joined by other birders during the annual Staten Island Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 17, 2022. (Photo Courtesy of Cliff Hagen)
