I have finally been well enough to tackle the vast numbers of birds that were counted on our count.
The number of people in the field was a healthy 54 and feeder watchers an unhealthy 10, but these are still good for our area overall.
We managed 110 Species and 27,819 total birds which is average for our count
Anna’s Hummingbirds went down for the first year for a while, but were still good at 159. Eurasian-colored Doves increased to a new high of 129 and 100 Band-tailed Pigeons counted in one flock was exceptional and could well be a new record.
Numbers for passerines was very average although Spotted Towhees put on a good show.
A single Snow Goose was found at Cherry Point and a Canvasback was in the sewage lagoons. Ruddy Duck numbers were very low at 78 with only 8 birds counted on Quamichan Lake where there is usually hundreds.
Loon numbers were a little better this year with 8 Red-throated Loons a encouraging sign. 27 Western Grebes were seen from Cherry Point, maybe one day they will return in their hundreds.
Hawks and Eagles put on a good show with 2 American Kestrels found this year.
Gulls were very average except for 2 Ring-billed and 4 Herring Gulls which were nice for the spotters
Owls were down, but 2 Northern Pygmy Owls were found, which is a hard bird to see most times in the valley, not sure if these were visual or heard birds.
Woodpeckers were up with nearly 270 in total with 27 Red-breasted Sapsuckers and 15 Pileated Woodpeckers
7 Yellow-rumped Warblers put on a good show with most along Somenos Creek where it is a bit warmer and bugs abound.
Bird of the day was a Hutton’s Vireo found by Jeremy G. out in the west-end of town.
The weather was very kind to us this year with dry conditions and afternoon sun making it very pleasant to be out in the field.
A very big thank you to all the counters for coming out and a major thank you to Jennifer Goodbrand and all the other people that helped out with the food and drinks at the roundup. I should also mention “She who must be obeyed” who now has the t-shirt thanks to Sheila, my lovely wife has waited on me hand and foot during this bad bout of bird watchers flu.
The Duncan Count roundup is regarded as one of the best in Canada for the food and service that is given to the counters, well done all.
Happy New Year
Derrick Marven