Hi all,
As you may know, I kept track of all the bird species, by month, reported in CT
in 2010.  It was an incredible year for rarities, and the total was 319 species!
Since then, at the suggestion of Joe Zeranski, I thought it would be of
interest to take a poll of the top 10 species of the year.  I set down some
guidelines and asked 40+ of the top veteran birders of the state. Thanks to all
(29) who replied. Look for an article on this in an upcoming issue of the COA's
Connecticut Warbler.  But for now, here's the simple results.

TOP 10 CT BIRDS IN 2010

1. Northern Lapwing
2. White-tailed Kite
3. Fork-tailed Flycatcher
4. LeConte's Sparrow
5. Mountain Bluebird
6. Western Grebe
7. Calliope Hummingbird
8. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
9. Dovekie
10. Black Guillemot

Frank Mantlik
Stratford

Hi again,
To follow up some of the comments made regarding the survey, here's some
additional info / input.
My guidelines offered that:  "Of course, many factors could be involved in the
selection process - shear rarity, beauty and or grace, cooperativeness of the
bird, long-staying, amount of press coverage, whether you saw it or not, etc.,
etc."
People voted accordingly.

In response to Frank Gallo's surprise that the Lapwing beat out the W-T Kite for
top spot, it was VERY close, with the ranked points of the top four as follows:

1. Northern Lapwing (254)
2. White-tailed Kite (251)
3. Fork-tailed Flycatcher (220)
4. LeConte's Sparrow (113)

In response to Charlie Barnard, I too am a bit surprised that the wild,
banded-in-Scotland Barnacle Goose didn't make the Top Ten.  It was, however,
number 11.

Also, I should note that the year's entire list was one that was not judged, by
me or by the rare bird committee (ARCC). So in a few cases a species was
included in the list without documentary photo or corroboration by others.
Black Guillemot is one example, and perhaps should have a footnote.

Lastly, in response to Dave Provencher, I wouldn't have voted for House Sparrow
in a million years.

Stay tuned for the article to come.

Best,
Frank Mantlik

From: Frank Mantlik mantlik@sbcglobal.net
To: Birds CT ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wed, January 26, 2011 5:56:16 AM
Subject: [CT Birds] Survey Results - TOP 10 CT BIRDS in 2010

Hi all,
As you may know, I kept track of all the bird species, by month, reported in CT
in 2010.  It was an incredible year for rarities, and the total was 319 species!

Since then, at the suggestion of Joe Zeranski, I thought it would be of
interest to take a poll of the top 10 species of the year.  I set down some
guidelines and asked 40+ of the top veteran birders of the state. Thanks to all
(29) who replied. Look for an article on this in an upcoming issue of the COA's
Connecticut Warbler.  But for now, here's the simple results.

TOP 10 CT BIRDS IN 2010

1. Northern Lapwing
2. White-tailed Kite
3. Fork-tailed Flycatcher
4. LeConte's Sparrow
5. Mountain Bluebird
6. Western Grebe
7. Calliope Hummingbird
8. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
9. Dovekie
10. Black Guillemot

Frank Mantlik
Stratford

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for
the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Had I been asked, the banded-in-Scotland Barnacle Goose would have been in
my top ten and probably in my top five.

-Bruce Finnan-
Waterbury

-----Original Message-----
From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of Frank Mantlik
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 7:58 PM
To: Frank Mantlik; Birds CT
Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Survey Results - TOP 10 CT BIRDS in 2010

Hi again,
To follow up some of the comments made regarding the survey, here's some
additional info / input.
My guidelines offered that:  "Of course, many factors could be involved in
the
selection process - shear rarity, beauty and or grace, cooperativeness of
the
bird, long-staying, amount of press coverage, whether you saw it or not,
etc.,
etc."
People voted accordingly.

In response to Frank Gallo's surprise that the Lapwing beat out the W-T Kite
for
top spot, it was VERY close, with the ranked points of the top four as
follows:

1. Northern Lapwing (254)
2. White-tailed Kite (251)
3. Fork-tailed Flycatcher (220)
4. LeConte's Sparrow (113)

In response to Charlie Barnard, I too am a bit surprised that the wild,
banded-in-Scotland Barnacle Goose didn't make the Top Ten.  It was, however,

number 11.

Also, I should note that the year's entire list was one that was not judged,
by
me or by the rare bird committee (ARCC). So in a few cases a species was
included in the list without documentary photo or corroboration by others.
Black Guillemot is one example, and perhaps should have a footnote.

Lastly, in response to Dave Provencher, I wouldn't have voted for House
Sparrow
in a million years.

Stay tuned for the article to come.

Best,
Frank Mantlik

From: Frank Mantlik mantlik@sbcglobal.net
To: Birds CT ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org
Sent: Wed, January 26, 2011 5:56:16 AM
Subject: [CT Birds] Survey Results - TOP 10 CT BIRDS in 2010

Hi all,
As you may know, I kept track of all the bird species, by month, reported in
CT
in 2010.  It was an incredible year for rarities, and the total was 319
species!

Since then, at the suggestion of Joe Zeranski, I thought it would be of
interest to take a poll of the top 10 species of the year.  I set down some
guidelines and asked 40+ of the top veteran birders of the state. Thanks to
all
(29) who replied. Look for an article on this in an upcoming issue of the
COA's
Connecticut Warbler.  But for now, here's the simple results.

TOP 10 CT BIRDS IN 2010

1. Northern Lapwing
2. White-tailed Kite
3. Fork-tailed Flycatcher
4. LeConte's Sparrow
5. Mountain Bluebird
6. Western Grebe
7. Calliope Hummingbird
8. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
9. Dovekie
10. Black Guillemot

Frank Mantlik
Stratford

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for
the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
For subscription information visit
http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org