The 46th Sunshine Coast and the 34th Pender Harbour Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) were held on Dec. 14 and 18 respectively. The Sunshine Coast count covers the area from Port Mellon to West Sechelt and the Pender count from Egmont to Middlepoint. The CBCs are organized by Bird Studies Canada in our country and the Audubon Society in the USA, with the goal of enumerating mid-winter population and distribution of birds across the Americas. The Sunshine Coast count was conducted by 32 participants in nine separate parties, and the Pender count by 36 participants in four land-based and three boat-based parties. Each party was led by an expert birder, who would know all the species encountered.
The CBCs, held in late December every year, are always a weather lottery. On the evening before the Sunshine Coast count our area was under a forecast of wind warnings and heavy rain for the following day. We attempted to delay the count by one day to dodge the weather, but it proved logistically impossible. As predicted, the system arrived overnight bringing gale force winds gusting to 80kph, and heavy rain. There were widespread power outages and CBC counters faced cold breakfasts and caffeine conniptions. The system also came with a storm surge in addition to already high tides. The Roberts Creek party could not access the jetty due to high wave action. The Sechelt Marsh trails were under deep water. Two parties reported their access was impeded by downed trees. I have been on all 45 previous CBCs and categorically these were the worst weather conditions ever for the count. Between the gale force wind and driving rain that made it feel freezing cold, the day was an extreme challenge for both the counters and the birds themselves.
In my comments on the count last year I reported that the weather “could hardly be improved for a mid-winter count.” Not so this year! Instead, the Pender Harbour count, four days later, drew the lucky straw, and that count was held under near perfect conditions of a warm, calm day with blue sky.
The Sunshine Coast count normally records between 90-100 species. This year the atrocious weather conditions reduced the total to 81 species on count-day, with an additional 11 species added for count-week (three days before and after count-day). This brought the total to 92 species, within the normal range. There were no major highlights to report, but the counters did find the mountain chickadee that has been wintering on Gospel Rock, and a Lincoln’s sparrow, which is taking advantage of our very warm temperatures so far this winter. The Pender Harbour count reported 83 species plus an additional three in count-week. Highlights were a yellow-billed loon in Malaspina Strait, lingering band-tailed pigeons, and a further Lincoln’s sparrow.
To report your sightings or questions contact [email protected] or 604-885-5539. Good Birding!
