LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley Air Force Base. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, which show significant trends occurring at the base. About 3,700 birds from 50 species were spotted this winter. The largest group of birds was spotted behind the Bayside Enlisted Club, where about 600 ruddy ducks floated in the Back River. Two-horned grebes were also spotted near the flock. The Great Egret, pictured here, is the largest egret in this region. It can be as high as 41 inches with a wingspan of 55 inches. With full conservation, the species is increasing after almost being decimated by plume hunters in the late 1800s. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- One of the more commonly seen birds across the United States, this male house finch is feasting on some berries. Studies indicate the redder the plumage, the more desirable he is to females. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley Air Force Base. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, that show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- A record total of three bald eagles were spotted on this year’s winter bird count. For many years, none were seen on base. One was spotted in 1998, and solo eagles have been seen sporadically since then. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, which show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- This is the smallest North American falcon and is sometimes called a Sparrow Hawk, a misnomer; because it is neither a hawk nor does its diet include a significant amount of sparrows or other small birds. It’s often sighted perched on wires along roadsides. This is a male kestrel and a total of four were seen on this year’s winter bird count. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley Air Force Base. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, that show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- A record total of three bald eagles were spotted on this year’s winter bird count. For many years, none were seen on base. One was spotted in 1998, and solo eagles have been seen sporadically since then. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, which show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- One of the most widespread and familiar gulls in North America, this gull can be distinguished by the black band on its yellow bill. It is very active in gathering food, will scavenge through debris and will steal food from other birds. This species has benefited by man’s alteration of habitat. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley Air Force Base. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, that show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- This is the most common hawk found on the continent and its wingspan ranges from 46 to 58 inches. Its diet consists of small to medium mammals, reptiles, amphibians, grasshoppers and an occasional small bird or bat. Many are still illegally killed and some perish when accidentally hit by cars. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley Air Force Base. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, that show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- This species can be found almost anywhere there are trees. A total of three were seen on this year’s winter bird count, which is about normal for each year. It eats primarily insects and their larvae, but it will also eat seeds, nuts and berries – to include poison ivy. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley Air Force Base. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team. This gives data points, essentially snapshots in time, that show significant trends occurring at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Thirteen Cedar Waxwings were spotted during Langley's winter bird count Dec. 13. Highly social and almost always seen in flocks, waxwings eat fruit, flower petals, insects and drink sap. At times this bird may become so intoxicated on overripe fruit that it can’t fly. Volunteers conduct bird counts each winter and spring on Langley. The data, collected since 1985, is provided to the 1st Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Flight and the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard team and shows significant base trends. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Wolf)