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     2002 was the 30th time the Sussex Christmas Bird Count was held. Thanks to all those who participated this year and other years. I wonder if anyone has been involved all 30 years?

      Some things to notice as you look at the following numbers compared to 2001.

      Most significant is the drop in number of species seen. The 35 species seen is the lowest since 1988 when only 24 were noted. In spite of that drop, it is Interesting that the total number of birds counted is the second highest, only being surpassed by 1995's high of 8,750. (Of course, the top 3 species makes up over half the number of birds counted.)

      When I compared the numbers to the last 10 year's average some changes were noted. The biggest drops in number under the 10 year average were:

• Snow Buntings,
• Black Capped Chickadees,
• Evening Grosbeaks, (2nd year to do so)
• Bohemian Waxwings and
• American Tree Sparrows.

      The biggest increases over the 10 year average were:

• European Starling
• Common Raven
• American Robin
• Rock Dove, (2nd year to do so), and
• American Black Duck, (2nd year to do so)

      2002 was the second year in a row that over 2000 birds of a species were counted. It is the first year that a Great Cormorant was seen.

      Three birds have been recorded all 30 years that the Sussex Bird Count has been held. They are:

• European Sparrow
• Rock Dove and
• House Sparrow

      Some of the changes from 2001 that jump out at me are:

• American Robin
• Snow Bunting
• Canada Goose and
• Common Redpoll.