118th Christmas Bird Count

Pilieated Woodpecker [PIWO] at Penticton Woods
– A. Bryant

Our Coordinator (Heather) kept us all on course – just as she has thanklessly done for years!
So…Thank You!

Smart phones are, well, smart!
Here’s the track of my personal 2017 count.
– as uploaded to Google Earth

He’s late! The very unusual Wilson’s Warbler [WIWA] spotted at Wildwood Bluffs
– I. van Veen

A COHU – the first record for Powell River!
The very unusual Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae) who’s been hanging out south of town
– K. Prichard

One of our newer members, here’s Mark Fetcher diligently taking notes…
no doubt wondering what the four-letter-code for this one is!
– A. Bryant

118th Christmas Bird Count
by Andrew Bryant, 16 Dec 2017.

 A number of club members participated in the Christmas Bird Count this year – the 14th time we’ve done so!

We had 17 participants, with another dozen who recording birds seen at feeders.   In total, we counted 6021 birds of 88 species.  This is somewhat lower than numbers recorded in previous years, a trend seen in other counts around Georgia Strait.  This we found curious, given that we had a reasonable break in a week-long string of storms.  Results from all our previous counts can be found here.

Highlights?  The Costa’s Hummingbird south of town is a first for Powell River, the Wilson’s Warbler at Wildwood was exceptional, and the large flocks of Ancient Murrelets moving far offshore were impressive.

Thanks to all who came out – and special thanks to Heather Harbord for coordinating it all, and to David Bedry for hosting the wonderful follow-up pot-luck!
Merry Christmas – and see you next year!