NEW ULM — The Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count numbers for 2019 compiled Dec. 14 were down slightly from 2018, according to compiler Elaine Poulson.

Results showed 32 species reported by 13 field observers and four at feeders from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. That number compares to 37 species seen Dec. 16, 2018.

“I’d like to thank everyone who was involved with this year’s count,” Poulson said. “We had a nice turn out and saw a nice variety of birds. The number of birds and varieties were down this year. With the cold wind we experienced that day, it is to be expected.”

The air temperature on Dec. 14, 2019 varied form five to nine degrees with a 15 to 25 mph wind.

A total of 1,185 birds were observed. Observed saw 345 House Sparrows, 184 Rock Pigeons, 122 Black-Capped Chickadees, 99 European Starlings and Dark-eyed, slate-colored Juncos, 43 White-Breasted Nuthatches, 37 Blue Jays and Downy Woodpeckers, 36 Horned Larks, 33 American Crows, 28 Northern Cardinals, 22 American Tree Sparrows, 13 Hairy Woodpeckers, 16 Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, 12 House Finches, 11 Brown Creepers, and 10 Ring-Necked Pheasants and Bald Eagles.

Other birds observed were a Wild Turkey, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk, Rough-Legged Hawk, Mourning Dove, Northern Flicker, Snow Buntings, Harris’ Sparrow, White-Throated Sparrow, White-Throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Purple Finch, and an American Goldfinch.

One Oregon Junco was seen. One of the common Grackles was partially leucistic (partial pigmentation loss).