The 123rd Christmas Bird Count in Canada

The 123rd Christmas Fowl Rely (CBC) was one other profitable yr in Canada, and it’s all because of hundreds of birders and nature lovers selecting to spend a day exterior, or from dwelling, counting our feathered pals. With out the contributions of those volunteer scientists, the compilers, the organizers, and the regional editors, the CBC would not be potential. Thanks on your dedication to birds, conservation, and the setting. 

A complete of 476 CBC circles in Canada submitted outcomes for the 123rd season, a rise of three in comparison with final yr. Three new circles and one beforehand dormant circle had been registered in 2022-23: BowKan and Lake Louise, AB; Port Blandford, NL; Goderich, ON; and Argentueuil, QC. A complete of 10,463 discipline counters and 3816 feeder counters participated in 476 counts throughout all provinces and territories. Probably the most Counts occurred in Ontario (123), adopted by British Columbia (92), and Alberta (56).  Ontario additionally had the very best variety of complete individuals (4626), adopted by British Columbia (3464), and Alberta (1670).

A complete of three,205,861 particular person birds of 279 species had been reported in Canada through the 2022-23 season (Desk 1). British Columbia had the very best species variety (218), adopted by Ontario (183), Nova Scotia (168), New Brunswick (142), and Québec (129).  The highest 5 counts for these areas had been Victoria, BC (137), Blenheim, ON (113), Halifax-Dartmouth, NS (115), Saint John, NB (69), and Québec, QC (77).

The climate through the very begin of winter in late November and early December, can dictate how a CBC season performs out, by way of each species abundance and variety. That is very true within the colder components of the nation, the place it may have an effect on the presence or absence of open water. The lead as much as the 123rd was shaping as much as be typical if not on the hotter facet however that may change because the winter progressed. A comparatively early chilly snap in December caught as much as the Atlantic area, though because the season went on, some counts reported milder than common temperatures. Shifting west, each Québec and Ontario loved a light begin to winter that was abruptly, and in some components devastatingly, interrupted by a robust storm round Christmas Day. The prairie provinces reported typical or barely colder than normal circumstances, with some counts struggling participation in consequence. A blast of sudden winter got here to many counts alongside coastal BC as effectively, the place counters skilled colder and snowier than normal circumstances. The Decrease Mainland of BC shouldn’t be identified for heavy snowfall, so many counters properly opted to rely birds from dwelling.

Species Highlights by Area

The highest 10 most considerable species by way of people reported on Canadian counts through the 123rd CBC season, listed from highest to lowest, had been: American Crow, Canada Goose, Mallard, Darkish-eyed Junco, American Wigeon, Bohemian Waxwing, Home Sparrow, Dunlin, Snow Goose, and Rock Pigeon. No new species had been added to the all-time Canadian record through the 123rd CBC, which stays at 439 species. A abstract of counts in Canada is introduced in Desk 1. 

A Pink-footed Goose in St. John’s, NL appeared for a sixth consecutive yr to kick off regional highlights. A Bar-tailed Godwit, found a day earlier than the Halifax-Darmouth Rely, was a welcomed addition. Shorebirds basically made a very good displaying within the Atlantic with stories of Lengthy-billed Dowitchers, Purple Knots, and Lesser Yellowlegs amongst others. Studies of Turkey Vultures and Purple-bellied Woodpeckers proceed to rise within the area, an instance maybe of a northward expansions. Amongst the various uncommon passerines reported, Inexperienced-tailed Towhee and Hermit Warbler, each species recurrently discovered a lot additional west, are standouts. 

Québec reported bumper yr for irruptive species, noting excessive counts for Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Night Grosbeak, and even Snow Bunting. Not all finches had been in abundance nevertheless, and Widespread Redpolls had been reported to be down. One Thick-billed Murre at Percé, Northern Fulmars in each Otterburn Park and Chicoutimi-Jonquière, and a wayward Townsend’s Solitaire had been among the many a number of highlights in Québec. Regardless of the difficult climate, a variety of noteworthy data from Ontario included one Western Sandpiper and one Noticed Sandpiper at Blenheim, a Nice Cormorant throughout Rely Week, an Indigo Bunting at Nipigon-Purple Rock, a Northern Waterthrush at Cedar Creek, and one Yellow-throated Warbler in Delta amongst others. 

A minimum of two Brown Thrashers braved the Manitoba winter with one at Cypress River and one in Winnipeg. An immature Trumpeter Swan that overwintered at Oak Hammock Marsh was a primary for Manitoba and one Purple-headed Woodpecker at Carman was an surprising discover. Saskatchewan additionally added a brand new species to the provincial CBC record with a California Gull at Regina throughout Rely Week. Grey Partridges proceed to extend in Saskatchewan, with a brand new excessive rely reported from Morse. An out-of-range White-winged Dove was a deal with for birders in Calgary, and whereas not out-of-range, an Osprey in Medication Hat was noteworthy. Generally, each owls and finches had been reported in low numbers within the prairie provinces. 

Some mentionable shorebirds from the British Columbia coast included one American Avocet at Ladner, one Ruddy Turnstone at Deep Bay, and two Brief-billed Dowitchers at Victoria. A Ross’s Gull was reported from Skidegate Inlet, a Black Phoebe was at Chilliwack, and two Clay-colored Sparrows had been in Victoria.  Pender Islands once more reported at the very least one Rufous Hummingbird, persevering with a seemingly new development for the Gulf Islands. 

Regardless of species variety for all of Canada in complete through the 123rd  rising, the vast majority of areas reported fewer or no change in species variety in comparison with the earlier season, except New Brunswick and Yukon Territory. British Columbia had the very best species variety, reporting 218 species, adopted by Ontario (183), Nova Scotia (168), New Brunswick (142), and Québec (129). Detailed regional summaries for the 123rd CBC will probably be obtainable on the Audubon web site. Historic or present yr outcomes by rely or species will be discovered on the Audubon web site now.

Click on right here to view the 123rd Christmas Fowl Rely: Canada Excessive Counts article.

Desk 1. 123^rd Christmas Fowl Rely in Canada Abstract

1.     Contains species detected throughout Rely Week

2.     Rely Day totals don’t embrace Rely Week additions