The period from December 14 to January 5 is Christmas Bird Count season. Each year over 2000 counts are conducted all across North America, Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America.
In our region there were three counts: in Fauquier, Nakusp and New Denver. Here a few of the highlights.
This was Fauquier’s 33rd annual count, and they set a new species high of 50.
Included were two species not seen there before: Northern Hawk Owl and Gadwall. Other noteworthy records include Rough-legged Hawk and Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Nakusp conducted its 36th count and also set a new record – 51 species. Wilson’s Warbler and Eurasian Collared-Dove were both firsts for the count.
Also noteworthy were Greater Scaup, Northern Hawk Owl, Short-eared Owl, Blue Jay, Townsend’s Solitaire, Cedar Waxwing, and American Tree Sparrow.
New Denver conducted its first ever count this year! They recorded 41 species. Highlights were Marsh Wren, Boreal Chickadee, Trumpeter Swan and Fox Sparrow.
All three regions enjoyed milder than usual weather which made spending the day ‘in the field’ much more pleasant!
