The 125th Christmas Bird Count in Montana

Whole Counts Run, Effort, Whole Species Discovered, 4 New Species Reported

This yr Montana birders accomplished 31 Christmas Chook Counts (CBCs), which was the identical as final yr and much like the common variety of counts from the interval 115-124 (32).  Nevertheless, we discovered a mixed complete of 153 species this yr (Appendix 1), which is the very best recorded from the interval 115-124, and an 8.5% enhance from the common quantity discovered throughout that interval (141). 

The variety of particular person birds counted (228,125) was 7.5% larger than the previous common (212,170).  The variety of daylight spent within the area (effort) was related (2% larger) to the common through the interval 115-124 (Determine 1).                

The variety of area individuals this yr (671) was related (3% under) the common (693) for the interval 115-124 (Determine 2).  

In distinction to area effort, the common feeder-watcher hours this yr was 18% decrease than the common feeder-watcher hours through the through the interval 115-124. 

Discovering barely extra species (153) and barely extra particular person birds with common area effort, and under common feeder-watcher effort doubtless displays mixtures of early scouting and environment friendly protection of circles on rely day, in addition to good visibility and comparatively straightforward strolling (much less deep snow cowl), and possibly extra open water within the area on rely day.

4 new species had been recorded this yr:  Bonaparte’s Gull (1 from Bigfork, pictures in eBird), Nice Black-backed Gull (1 from Helena, pictures in eBird.  This species was beforehand a rely week chicken (CW, outlined as 3 days earlier than and three days after a rely day) from Fort Peck throughout CBC # 115.  CW species are recorded, however don’t contribute towards a rely or state complete quantity.  Williamson’s Sapsucker was recorded on 2 circles, 1 every at Bozeman (pictures in eBird from earlier than and after rely day, but in addition recorded on rely day), and Yellowstone Nationwide Park.  The latter was truly within the Wyoming portion of the circle, in order that file wouldn’t rely as being present in Montana.  Final, a Black-throated Grey Warbler was additionally discovered on the Yellowstone Nationwide Park rely, within the Montana portion close to Gardiner (Appendix 1).  These 4 new species deliver Montana’s complete cumulative chicken checklist to 224.  Recall that we misplaced a species final yr when the two former redpoll species had been mixed into 1 species.

We had a whopping 24 species discovered on simply 1 rely this yr, which contributed to our excessive (153) total complete species discovered this yr (Desk 1). 

Desk 1.  Birds discovered on single counts and never rely week elsewhere, Montana Christmas Chook Depend #125.

We discovered 3 species through the varied CWs and never on any rely day:  Glaucous-winger Gull (Fort Peck), Nice Grey Owl (Kalispell), and Noticed Towhee (at Lewistown and Troy).

Bigfork once more tallied probably the most species (88), with Helena and Ninepipe NWR tied at 86.  The one different rely > 80 was Missoula (81).  Bigfork’s 88 was effectively wanting their earlier excessive, which is the state file of 98 (CBC #118).  The common variety of birds seen this yr was 52, which was 7% above the common (49) for the interval 115-124.  Counts with excessive species totals usually have excessive habitat range together with open water, in addition to many expert observers.  5 counts had 27 or fewer species this yr, which is comparatively regular for our low-numbered counts.

Missoula once more had the very best variety of birders—94 area individuals and 13 Feeder-watchers for a mixed complete of 107people.  No different counts topped 100.  Stevensville had the following highest mixed complete (72), 38 area individuals and 34 feeder-watchers.  Bozeman had the 2nd highest variety of area individuals (57) adopted by Helena (51).  The common variety of area individuals was 22.  9 counts had fewer than 10 area individuals (fewest = 2 individuals on 1 rely).

Widespread Species

Bald Eagle was once more probably the most widespread species, discovered on all 31 counts, totaling 1098 birds.  The excessive variety of Bald Eagles was 108 at Kalispell, the low was 1 chicken at Bowdoin NWR.  The common variety of Bald Eagles discovered was 35.  Bald Eagle numbers and birds per occasion hour (the metric to standardize information to match info between years) have steadily elevated for the reason that late 70s, with the banning of pesticides coupled with elevated habitat and nest-site conservation.  Bald Eagle metrics have remained usually at or close to file highs since CBC #111 (Determine 3).

Two species had been discovered on 30 counts every:  Mallard (however not recorded from Higher Swan Valley); and Black-billed Magpie (however not recorded from Libby).  Canada Goose was discovered on 28 counts and 1 CW circle (Higher Swan Valley), so 29 counts had been represented; the species was not discovered on Quigley and Bowdoin NWR.

Most Quite a few Species

Species with excessive numbers this yr had been additionally species whose numbers can fluctuate broadly from yr to yr.  Canada Goose was probably the most quite a few species this yr (73,625 birds), whereas the final 2 years totaled round 40,000 birds every.  Canada Goose birds per occasion hour this yr was 51% larger than the common birds per occasion hour from the interval from CBC #91-#124 (Determine 4).

Mallard was the two^nd most quite a few species (45,649 birds).  This yr’s Mallard birds per occasion hour was 32% above the common from the interval CBC #45-#124, and far larger since CBC #115 (Determine 5).  

European Starling was the one different species over 10,000 birds (10,924).  European Starling birds per occasion hour this yr was under however pretty close to to the common birds per occasion hour from the interval CBC # 41-#124 (Determine 6).  Starling birds per occasion hour has fluctuated close to this common pretty constantly for the reason that late Nineteen Sixties

Species that Range Extensively Between Years.

Bohemian Waxwing numbers and birds per occasion hour range broadly every year, displaying steep spikes and deep valleys (Determine 7).  This yr, Bohemian Waxwing numbers and birds per occasion hour had been much like final yr—each had been file lows that had been 81-82% decrease than the previous common birds per occasion hour (Determine 7).  Bohemian Waxwings could also be wintering nearer to their summer time breeding vary, that’s, they might be remaining north of Montana throughout winter.

Much like Bohemian Waxwing, Home Sparrow birds per occasion hour was effectively under their previous common, which was additionally the case final yr (a 38% lower this yr, Determine 8).  In contrast to Bohemian Waxwings, Home Sparrow metrics have fluctuated extra carefully round their common birds per occasion hour (that’s, smaller peaks and valleys) for the reason that Nineteen Eighties (Determine 8). 

This yr, I seen that Snow Goose numbers had been the very best ever reported (64 birds); some years don’t have any detections.  I questioned if the species was maybe short-stopping, or displaying extra wintering birds farther north than throughout previous a long time.  From our information, that doesn’t seem like the case (Determine 9).  Extra years of information will assist inform this query.

Mourning and Eurasian Collared-Dove Numbers

Mourning Dove birds per occasion hour was much like final yr, and Eurasian Collared-Dove was barely larger than final yr’s quantity (Determine 10).  Mourning Dove values stay larger than through the interval of the late Forties by way of the Nineteen Nineties.  Maybe Eurasian Collared-Dove numbers are flattening out after an preliminary spike from 2001-2017.

Owls

This yr we discovered solely 6 owl species (and 1 CW species) of our 13 potential winter owl species.  Nice Horned Owl was probably the most widespread (75 birds from 20 counts and 1 CW at Lewistown).  Northern Pygmy-Owl (29 birds) was discovered on 12 counts and a pair of CW websites (Stevensville and Bozeman).  Lengthy-eared Owl was discovered on 4 counts and totaled 21 birds; 14 had been from Ninepipe alone.  Northern Noticed-whet Owl was discovered on 3 counts, and totaled 6 birds.  One Northern Hawk Owl was discovered on 1 rely—Glacier Nationwide Park.  Quick-eared Owl was tallied from only one rely with 5 birds (Ninepipe) and a pair of CW birds at Helena and Kalispell.   Nice Grey Owl was CW at Kalispell.  Species missed embody Snowy Owl, Western and Japanese Screech-Owls, American Barn Owl (just a few information), Barred Owl, and infrequently, Boreal Owl. 

Gulls

This yr’s gull tally was excessive, with 8 gull species plus a 9^th CW species.  Depend day birds included Bonaparte’s, Quick-billed, Ring-billed, California, Herring, Iceland (consists of Thayer’s), Glaucous, and Nice Black-backed Gull.  Glaucous-winged Gull was discovered CW at Fort Peck.

Different Uncommon Species

Different uncommon species not already talked about embody the next:  One Larger Whie-fronted Goose was discovered at Bozeman, and CW at Hamilton.  Three Ruby-crowned Kinglets had been discovered, 1 every at Helena, Missoula, and Three Forks.  This species usually overwinters within the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys, however has been reported solely as soon as earlier than in Helena (CBC #123) and by no means at Three Forks.  5 Western Bluebirds had been discovered at Helena, and 1 every Mountain Bluebird was discovered at Billings, Helena, and Three Forks.  Bluebirds have solely not too long ago been considerably common on our counts, particularly at Helena.  No bluebird species had been recorded at Three Forks till this yr; Billings had 1 MOBL on CBC#47.  Our most anticipated Warbler—Yellow-rumped—was discovered at Bigfork and Nineipe (1 chicken every).  One Frequent Yellowthroat was discovered at Helena, and CW at Ninepipe.  Yellow-headed Blackbirds had been discovered at Bigfork and Helena (1 chicken every).  This species can overwinter, however discovering 1 is like in search of a needle in a blackbird haystack.  Two Canyon Wrens had been discovered, 1 every at Ninepipe and Stevensville.  The species is a everlasting resident in acceptable habitat, but it surely takes fairly a little bit of effort to search out the people which will happen in a rely circle.   

Because of all of our individuals, and see you once more subsequent yr.

Appendix 1.  Species (153) and numbers tallied throughout Montana CBC #125

Photographs

Black-throated Grey Warbler, photographed on rely day (22 Dec 2024) by Katy Duffy at Gardiner, MT, Yellowstone Nationwide Park CBC #125

Williamson’s Sapsucker, photographed (18 Dec 2024) after rely day however discovered on rely day (and earlier than), Byran Butler, Bozeman CBC #125