The 4th (1903) CBC in Michigan

Michigan's 2nd Christmas Bird Census (as the CBC was then known) was held in December 1903 with two Michigan counts participating. Bird-Lore's summary of the census was introduced as follows:

BIRD-LORE's Fourth Christmas Bird Census was even more successful than any of the three which preceded it. This fact is best express by a statement of the number of reports received each year since the Census was inaugurated. Thus, in 1900 twenty-five reports were sent in, in 1901, thirty-four, in 1902, fifty-three, and in 1903, seventy-eight. Source: Bird-Lore 6:8 (1904).

Thus, while 1903 represents the 2nd time that Michigan participated in the CBC, it is actually the 4th CBC sponsored by Bird-Lore. The following results were published for the two Michigan counts:

Detroit River, Mich.—Time, 4 P.M. to 4.30 P.M. Snow flurries, floating ice on river; wind northwest; temp. 26°. Herring Gull, 5; Ring-billed Gull, 3; Total, 2 species. 8 individuals.—ALEXANDER W. BLAIN, JR.

Port Sanilac, Mich.—December 26; time, 2.15 P.M. to 4.15 P.M. Clear; six to ten inches of snow; wind southwest, light; temp. 12°. Old Squaw (?), 18; Bob-white, 1; Crow, 160; Pine Grosbeak, 2; Snowflake, 120; Chickadee, 1. Total, 6 species, 302 individuals.—HARRIET W. THOMSON.

Source: Bird-Lore 6:16 (1904).