United States Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) reported 664 species which included the Red-tailed Tropicbird at HI , Midway Atoll that was new for the CBCs. Eighty-four infraspecific forms (forms), and 31 exotic species (ex) were also reported. Arctic Loon which is under review ( NJ , Barnegat) might be an additional species for the season. Rock Ptarmigan ( AK, Unalaska Island), White-tailed Ptarmigan ( CO , Aspen) Sabine’s Gull ( OR, Columbia Estuary), Gray Gull ( FL, Sarasota), Boreal Owl ( AK, Fairbanks), Gyrfalcon ( MO, Confluence and MT, Ninepipe N.W.R.), and Bank Swallow ( CA, Salton Sea (south)) were only found during Count Week . Those 7 could have made this an exceptional season.

Only one CBC can have the most species in the country, but many counts can have the highest tally of a species. How many birds does it take to have the highest tally? If the species is rare enough only one. This was done 133 times this season (15%). It takes more individuals as a species becomes more common.…