Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
The 34th annual Fort St. James Christmas Bird Count was held on Dec. 28 and a record total of 43 species and 2549 birds were observed.
Eleven field observers and 14 feeder watchers took part in the event this year.
Joanne Vinnedge is the compiler for the Fort St. James Bird Count and has held this position for over 30 years.
We observe from dusk till dawn. Record numbers were counted this year and I am so grateful to all of the volunteers,” Vinnedge said.
The Christmas Bird Count is part of a North American citizen science-wide project in which observers tally the total number of birds seen on a chosen day within a two week period surrounding Christmas every year.
Results are analysed nationally by Bird Studies Canada and used to determine multi-year trends in bird populations.
In FSJ, the survey area includes a 15 mile circle with the post office being in the centre.
Two duck species, the Long-tailed duck and the Ring-necked duck were new to the count area as well as a Hooded merganser that had only been recorded once before.
Decent Trumpeter swan numbers were seen as well as a record number of Ruffed grouse and Northern goshawks.
Seed-eating Grosbeak and common Redpoll numbers have improved this year. These birds in particular tend to be irruptive and follow cone and seed crops around the country.
Invasive Eurasian collared-doves appear to be well adjusted in Fort St. James. Ten were observed.
With a very mild fall and most of Stuart River being open on count day, a higher number of species and individual birds were observed.
“Thanks are due to the talented and dedicated birders who join us every year travelling from Prince George and Vanderhoof to participate,” Vinnedge said.
Complete species list:
Trumpeter swan 180
Mallard 36
Common goldeneye 65
Barrow’s goldeneye 2
Hooded merganser 1
Common merganser CW (count week - bird not seen on count day but within 3 days of count day)
Long-tailed duck 1
Ring-necked duck 1
Ruffed grouse 44
Spruce grouse 1
Bald eagle 4
Northern goshawk 4
Belted kingfisher CW
Downy woodpecker 23
Hairy woodpecker 31
Northern flicker 5
Brown creeper 4
Pileated woodpecker 1
Northern shrike 1
Eurasian collared-dove 10
Gray jay 3
Steller’s jay 13
Black-billed magpie 16
American crow 58
Common raven 164
Black-capped chickadee 449
Boreal chickadee 1
Mountain chickadee 1
Red-breasted nuthatch 12
American dipper 4
Golden-crowned kinglet 1
Eurasian starling CW
Bohemian waxwing 38
Song sparrow 1
Dark-eyed junco 22
Brewer’s blackbird 6
Pine grosbeak 354
White-winged crossbill 90
Red crossbill 9
Common redpoll 640
Pine siskin 14
Evening grosbeak 136
House sparrow 103
Total Individuals 2549 birds
Total number of species 43