Compiler’s Comments: The stars of the December 30, 2008 Brevard CBC were, without a doubt, three very special geese that were found by Dick Blee and Pat Bohan at Camp Deerwoode, a private camp outside of Brevard. These were an adult white-phase Ross’s Goose, which had first been reported just before Christmas and had been seen periodically since then in company with a flock of about 75 Canada Geese, and two Cackling Geese (Richardson’s), a species that was new to the county list. The three small geese were together, surrounded by the much larger Canadas, making comparison rather easy. (Photos of the Cackling Geese have been submitted and the birds have since been seen by many other observers.)

Aside from these geese, our list contains mostly the expected species, with some misses. No Wilson’s Snipe were found, for example (though some were seen within count week) and no one saw or heard such regulars as Woodcock and Barred Owl. At the roundup most of the observers complained that although their species list was adequate, there seemed to be fewer birds around than usual. This comment is heard nearly every year but in truth some species’ numbers were up, while others were down. Overall the census recorded 68 species, considerably less than the 73-76 we have come to expect in recent years when the weather is good, as it was this year. The fact that an additional 10 species were added as "count week birds" says to me that we simply do not have enough good birders out in the field on count day. There were large territories essentially uncovered and if this were remedied, the totals would certainly rise.