21st Annual Cranbrook and Kimberley Christmas Bird Counts (#119)
 13 Jan 2019
By Dianne Cooper
 
Over the year-end holidays, the Rocky Mountain Naturalists coordinate the Christmas Bird Counts in Cranbrook and Kimberley.  Volunteer counters go into the field or watch their home feeders to record every bird spotted around each community.  These data and similar data from over 2,500 location across the western hemisphere collected over the past century are added to the longest-running community science project in the world.  This wealth of information on winter bird populations is used to aid bird conservation. For participants, it's a great day of winter birding.  Here are summaries of this year's counts.
 
The 21st annual Christmas Bird Counts for Cranbrook and Kimberley were held on December 29th, 2018
and January 5th, 2019 respectively. 
 
On Count Day, teams of counters cover as much of a defined 24-km diameter circle as possible to tally all birds they see; feeder counters tally the highest number of a species seen around their yard.  Count Week extends three days before and after count day.  Any species NOT seen on Count Day but seen during Count Week can be included in the official report to Bird Studies Canada/National Audubon Society (but numbers of individuals of count week species are not added to the count tally).
 
Field observers participating in one or both counts totaled 50 field counters, feeder watchers and friends.  One birder was from Jasper, one from Fernie and the rest were local residents.  Twenty-three people contributed counts of birds and their feeders.  Five other bird-friendly homes welcomed us into their yards or homes to count their birds and we even got homemade cinnamon buns!  Thanks!
 
 
Cranbrook Results
The Cranbrook circle goes from St. Eugene Mission to Green Bay (Moyie Lake) and from Old Wycliffe to Gold Creek.  Also included is the Trans-Canada Trail to Rampart Rest Area.
 
Count #119 (National Audubon Society, Bird Studies Canada)
Count day:  29 Dec 2018
Count week: 26 Dec 2018 - 1 Jan 2019
 
Total species, count day:  43
Total species, count week:  7
Total number of individuals: 3,464
 
The weather for the Cranbrook count was unusually warm, with temperatures ranging from -3 to +5 C; twenty degrees warmer than last year.  In the afternoon, there was strong winds, especially in the higher areas, and light rain.  Moyie Lake and the Cranbrook sewage lagoons were mostly unfrozen.
 
People going out into the field, driving or walking, numbered 20 birders and friends and 14 people counted at their feeders. 
 
The total number of individual birds counted was 3,464 which is above the average of 2,665.
 
The 43 species recorded on count day was close to the 21-year average of 44 species.
 
Numerous species:
Bohemian Waxwing (680) was the most numerous species, as usual but their numbers were seven times below average (867) and well below the record high of almost 5,000 birds in December 2005.  Kimberley is also noticing a low number of Waxwings this year and the record crop of mountain ash berries seems to be going un-eaten so far this winter.
 
Mallard, (or "Mall" - ards, as I call them) were numours as usual (336).  This is not as high as last year (434) but still above average. Rock Pigeon (120) numbers were a bit below average.  The 293 American Crows counted tied the record high set only two years ago.  Common Raven (310), however, were of average numbers.
 
Record high counts:
Record high counts were recorded for a whopping NINE species this year: Crows as mentioned above, Common Goldeneye (89), and the following:
 
Eurasian Collared-Dove (10) is definitely here to stay.  British Columbia opened the first hunting season for them in the province this year.
 
Some feeder favorites such as Blue Jay (28), American Goldfinch (66), Dark-eyed Junco (149), and Northern Flicker had very good numbers.  The abundance of Junco was noticed earlier in 2018 after being low in number in recent years.  Are they are refugees from areas of British Columbia severely affected by wildfires last summer?  American Goldfinch (66) have been steadily increasing over the winter in the East Kootenay for the past 20 years.
 
Pine Siskin (436) have been notably absent in the area the past several years so this year's count of 5 times average is encouraging.  They are known as an irruptive species, as is Common Redpoll and a few other finch species, which means their numbers can fluctuate greatly. Common Redpoll was missed on count day but some were seen during count week, a great disappointment after last year's count of 268 individuals.  We hope they are just somewhere else and the CBC data from other areas may show that.
 
One to three - usual and unusual:
We usually only ever count a few of some species.  This year it was Green-winged Teal, Barrow's Goldeneye, Ruffed Grouse, Northern Harrier, Merlin, Northern Shrike, Black-billed Magpie, Brown Creeper, and American Robin (2 - below average).
 
Ring-necked Duck (2) was recorded for only the second time; Common Merganser (7) for the third time, and American Three-toed Woodpecker (1) also for the third time.
 
Firsts:
For the first time on the Cranbrook count, Spotted Towhee (1 on count day) and Cedar Waxwing (1 in count week) were recorded.  Neither are usual here in the winter but are common breeders in summer.
 
Other favourite feeder birds:
Notably missing from the feeder lineup this year were Common Redpoll, of which a few were recorded during count week, but neither Grosbeak, Evening nor Pine, were seen.  House Finch (148) and House Sparrow (22) were below average. Usual numbers were seen for Mountain Chickadee (97), Downy (17) and Hairy (8) Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker (8), and Song Sparrow (13).  Above average numbers were seen of Black-capped Chickadee (142) and Red-breasted Nuthatch (76 - 3rd highest).  Record high numbers were counted for Northern Flicker (51), Blue Jay (28), and Dark-eyed Junco (149).
 
One favorite bird has finally benefitted from a mistake made in its re-naming by the powers-that-be back in 1957.  The Gray Jay is now back again to Canada Jay.  Afterall, the scientific name has "canada" right in it!  And "gray" is spelled "grey" in Canada!  It's a smart and hearty corvid I hope will become Canada's National bird.  We counted six Perisoreus canadensis this year.
 
Other favorite species spotted were American Dipper (4 - below average), and Townsend's Solitaire (12 - a bit above average).
 
Notable misses:
Besides the two Grosbeak species mentioned above, some other species missed were Hooded Merganser, a couple of which had been at Green Bay earlier in the month; Bufflehead; Red-tailed Hawk; and Northern Pygmy-Owl,
   
Several other species usual or known to be in area were missed on count day but recorded in count week.  A Great Blue Heron has been living along Joseph Creek all winter and is quite photogenic.  A few Rough-legged Hawk, a more-northern breeding raptor, usually over-winters around here.  A Great Horned Owl was heard in the Community Forest.  A Belted Kingfisher has made the upper mid-reaches of Joseph Creek its home.
 
Really big misses:
For the first time in 21 years, two common species were not seen on count day nor during count week.  We usually get half a dozen Steller's Jay but this year they were a no-show.  Clark's Nutcracker was also missed.  Their population is noticeably declining across their western North American range and environmental groups, including the Rocky Mountain Naturalists, have been attempting to re-establish Limber Pine, their favorite food source, at suitable sites such as Mount Broadwood, near Elko.
 
For the complete results see below.
 
The Count-up potluck was graciously hosted by Bob and Gretchen again this year and much warm and good food was provided and consumed.  Thanks! And thanks to all!
 
Kimberley Results
 
Count day:  5 January 2019
Count week: 2 - 8 January 2019
Audubon / Bird Studies Canada Count #119 BCKB
 
Total species, count day:  49
Total species, count week:  5
Total number of individuals:  2,628
 
The weather and road conditions for the Kimberley count this year were much better than last year.  A heavy snowfall the night before count day last year, meant most side roads were un-plowed.  It was unusually warm, with temperatures ranging from -5 to -3 oC; ten degrees warmer than last year. Winds were calm to light. Wasa Lake was frozen but the rivers were only partly frozen.
 
People going out into the field, driving or walking, numbered 22 birders and friends, 10 people reported the birds (or lack of) at their feeders, and several bird-lovers welcomed us into their yards or homes to count their birds. 
 
The total number of individual birds counted was 2,628 which is above the average of 2,458.
 
The 49 species recorded on count day was above the the 21-year average of 42 species.
 
Numerous species:
The record high for Pine Siskin (394) made them the most numerous species on the count his year, usurping Bohemian Waxwing (326) for only the second time in 21 years.  Waxwing numbers were a quarter of usual but there were six times more Siskins around than the previous high of 231 set on count #102.
 
Siskin numbers were also very high for the Cranbrook count the week before. It's possible the Siskins from Cranbrook moved up to Kimberley. Or, are Siskin numbers high for counts in other areas, too? Merritt recorded high numbers of them too (CBC preliminary results page, British Columbia Field Ornithologist website) and as the CBC official results get finalized, we can check the data base to see.
 
Record high counts:
Record high counts were also recorded for some common species: American Crow (222), Common Raven (287), Rock Pigeon (95 - 4 times average), Northern Flicker (45), Red-breasted Nuthatch (127), and Red Crossbill (237). Uncommon species with new high counts were Cassin's Finch (34 - 9th time on count) and Red-winged Blackbird (75 - 4th time on count).
 
One to three - usual and unusual:
Species with usual low numbers seen on count day were Ruffed Grouse, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Shrike, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Snow Bunting.  During count week, we managed to pick up Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, and Evening Grosbeak as well as: a Northern Goshawk on the ground having a meal in the Nature Park, and a Dusky Grouse displaying from atop a skier's vehicle on the ski hill – this is the first time for this species on either the Kimberley or Cranbrook counts.  House Sparrow (3) numbers were 10th of average.
 
Firsts:
A couple of breeding birds stayed behind this year: an American Kestrel - first time for the Kimberley count, and a Brewer's Blackbird - fourth time on either count.
 
 
Our favourite feeder birds:
Many feeder watchers, especially in the Clearview area, were concerned about the lack of activity at their feeders this winter.  While the counts for many species - Downy Woodpecker (18), Hairy Woodpecker (13), Pileated Woodpecker (10), Black-capped Chickadee (121), Mountain Chickadee (91), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (2), and White-breasted Nuthatch (5) seemed low, they were average or only a bit below average for the whole Kimberley circle.  Common Redpoll (92) was half of average, however.  But above average numbers were recorded for Blue Jay (13), Dark-eyed Junco (45), Song Sparrow (12), and House Finch (135); and record highs were recorded for Northern Flicker (45), Red-breasted Nuthatch (127), and Red Crossbill (237).  A feeder watcher there did manage to get the only Pine Grosbeaks (8) recorded in the circle.  This is well-below the average of 47, however.  So, it appears most of the birds usually at Clearview were preferring Kimberley and Meadowbrook, this year.
 
Four Perisoreus canadensis (Canada Jay, aka Gray Jay) were counted this year (see the Cranbrook count results above for a comment on this name change) and 6 Steller's Jay.
 
Eight Eurasian Collared-Doves were counted this year.  See Cranbrook count results above for discussion.
 
Other favorite species spotted were Wild Turkey (22 - half of average), Bald Eagle (13), Black-billed Magpie (12), Clark's Nutcracker (38 - half of average; see Cranbrook count results above for discussion), Brown Creeper (7 - record high), American Dipper (5), Golden-crowned Kinglet (5), Townsend's Solitaire (15 - above average), American Robin (7), and American Goldfinch (4 - second lowest).
 
Notable misses:
American Tree Sparrow was missed after being on the previous six counts. Northern Pygmy-Owl was missed on both the Kimberley and Cranbrook counts (including count week).  Mourning Dove was missed for the 3rd time in a row, and Merlin was missed for the 5th time in a row.
 
For the complete results see below.
 
A big thank you to count-up potluck hosts Caroline and Rob.
 
Thanks to all field counters, drivers, recordists, feeder counters and everyone that helped make these counts successful once again!  Mark your calendars for similar dates next year!

The Rocky Mountain Naturalist's early morning birding outing leaves every Wednesday (usually) at 8AM and returns (usually) by 11:30AM.  If you would like to join us please contact Jim H. via our request tab on the Home Page.
Thanks to Jim H., Lyle G., Bob W.and Greg R. for the Great Photos!

Photos by Stewart Wilson

Left photo
As September advanced, the warm days dwindled, & summer faded from the Rockies. On the east side of Mount Broadwood, beneath the China Wall, sunlight illuminated an aspen grove as the trees were bowed by an upslope breeze.  September 8th, 2018.

Right photo
Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), looking south from above Spectrum Pass Creek canyon (north side) to the Tchaikazan River (upstream), Friendly Peak (center), & Carefree Mountain (right, in cloud); Tsylos Provincial Park, BC.  August 19th, 2013.
Dan Hicks photos

Mount Broadwood & the lower Wigwam River are within the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Elk Valley Heritage Conservation Area.  A September survey by a small party of Rocky Mountain Naturalists revealed that the whitebark pine seedlings, planted by dedicated Rocky Mountain Naturalists on this very slope two years previously, had perished in the dry heat of succeeding summers.  Picturesque whitebark pine is the highest elevation pine, a source of seeds & habitat for various subalpine creatures, its numbers have been much diminished, & its very existence threatened, by white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetle (aided by rising temperatures), & an absence of cyclic low-intensity surface fires.  In montane ecosystems, surviving as a tree is challenging, but growing to become one is even more daunting. 
​
By Dan Hicks

RDEK / RMN Bird Checklist updates to Oct 2018
Edited 14-Oct-2018 (now 314 species)
By Dianne Cooper
 
With the recent publishing of the Checklist of British Columbia Birds by British Columbia Field Ornithologist (BCFO), and the sighting of another new species in the East Kootenay, I thought I would tally up the changes over the past 2 ½ years to our newest bird checklist published in 2016.
 
The East Kootenay Bird Checklist was published May of 2016 in preparation of the BCFO meeting that month in Cranbrook.  Every BCFO member in attendance received a free copy.  Our 2016 checklist replaced the previous one published in 2003.  The earlier one covered the traditional Rocky Mountain Naturalist birding area from the US border to Canal Flats and from halfway to Creston to the Alberta boundary.  The new checklist, with the advent and popularity of eBird, covers the Regional District of East Kootenay, the “administrative” area used by eBird.
 
The BCFO checklist records 301 species in Ecoprovince #4, which includes the RDEK.  The Southern Interior Mountains ecoprovince goes north almost as far as Prince George and west to the other side of the Monashee Range, bordering on the Okanagan.  There are many species further west and north that we haven’t gotten yet.
 
36 species found in Ecoprovince # 4 have not yet been found in the RDEK.  Perhaps some of these are more likely to show up here?  Watch for:
 
Prothonotary Warbler
Crested Caracara
Northern Parula
Lucy’s Warbler
Summer Tanager
 
What will show up next!  There’s always something new!
 
The BCFO records 265 species of what we do have.
EK birds not on the BCFO checklist number 48 species.
 
At time of publishing our last checklist, we had 303 species.
Now (12 Oct 2018) we have 313 species.  We also have 4 hybrids, but we won’t count those.
Now (14 Oct 2018) we have 314 species! (see below: Species not on eBird but seen prior)
 
Species that were seen after May 2016 are:
 
Black Scoter
- Oct 2016, Wasa Lake, Dean Nicholson

Anna’s Hummingbird
- Nov 2016, Wycliffe, Lil McPhail (Dean Nicholson)

Northern Cardinal
- Nov 2017, Cranbrook, Katrin Powell (Greg Ross)

Curve-billed Thrasher
- July 2018, Canal Flats, Gord Littlejohns

Ovenbird
- Aug 2018, Fernie, Mike Bentley, Liz Creighton

Lesser Goldfinch
- Oct 2018, Wycliffe, Dianne Cooper, Joe Rothermund

 
Of course, these are all classified as “accidentals” – one or two individuals sighted in the past couple of years.  They are all recorded on eBird.
 
Species documented after May 2016 – but seen before then
 
a.  Now on eBird
These are historical records entered into eBird by people documenting their own or others’ birding journals, much like I did with Mildred White’s records.  The oldest “new” species (added after May 2016) goes back to 1984 (Pacific Golden-plover, Harmer Ridge, 26 Sep 1984, David Fraser).  The oldest “first” record on eBird goes back to 1930. 
 
Pacific Golden-plover
- 1984, Sparwood, David Fraser

Costa’s Hummingbird
- 1992, Fort Steele, Doug Brown

Connecticut Warbler
- 1997, Richard Guillet

Chestnut-sided Warbler
- 1998, Michael Preston

Black-throated Sparrow
- 1984, Mildred White

 
 
b.  Species not on eBird but seen prior
eBird records 301 species in the RDEK but not all species on our checklist are on eBird.  Missing on, or not included on eBird are:
 
Ring-necked Pheasant
- escapees, sightings discouraged on eBird

Least Bittern
- 2010, Ta Ta Creek, reported to the Breeding Bird Atlas

Yellow Rail
- 2010, Columbia Lake, Jason Rogers

Upland Sandpiper
- 1919, Newgate, Birds of British Columbia

Arctic Tern
- 1944, Columbia Lake, Walter B. Johnstone, specimen, Royal BC  Museum (RBCM)

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- 1915, Cranbrook, unknown collector, specimen, RBCM

Eastern Phoebe
- 1976, Spillimacheen, Birds of BC

Chestnut-collared Longspur
- 1930, Tobacco Plains, R. M. Anderson, specimen National Museum of Canada (NMC)

McCown’s Longspur
- 1930, Tobacco Plains, Rand, specimen, NMC

Mourning Warbler
- 1996, Spillimacheen River, unknown obs, Birds of British Columbia

Black-throated Blue Warbler
- 2002, Kimberley, Ruth Goodwin

Black-and-white Warbler
- 1971, Wasa Park, Neil Dawe, in Dawe 1971

Grasshopper Sparrow
- 1997, Cranbrook, G. Ross, G. Ross, J. Lawrence, G Davidson, in Am. Birds, Vol 51 No 4 Fall 1997

 
The BCFO Checklist lists 522 species for British Columbia and eBird records 517.
We have contributed some eBird firsts for the province.
Go to https://ebird.org/canada/region/CA-BC?yr=all and click on “First Seen” to see the BC list on eBird. 
 
There was the Northern Cardinal last winter of course, and the Curve-billed Thrasher last July.  Also (but maybe more, and it’s always changing as more people upload historical data):
 
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- 1992, Fort Steele, Doug Brown

American Avocet
- 1967, Forst Steele, Tom Briggs

Red-headed Woodpecker
- 1998, Dutch Creek, Cam Gillies

Lewis’s Woodpecker
- 1930, Newgate, Ian McTaggart-Cowan

 
In summary, changes to our checklist to date are:
 
chart section of RDEK 2016 checklist   245
 

accidentals                                      58
 

RDEK 2016 checklist total                        303

seen and added after 15 May 2016              6
 

seen before, added after 15 May 2016         5
 

RDEK total to 13 Oct 2018                     314

 
PS  EXPLORE!
If you have an eBird account, for some fun online browsing of birds of the world, head to the eBird “Explore” tab at:
https://ebird.org/canada/explore
- hit the “Surprise me!” link under the box: “Enter species name”, to see a randomly selected world species.
- hit the “Change species” link at the top right, then in the popup, again hit “Surprise me!” to see another.
It’s so fun!  I didn’t know there was such a thing as a “Melancholy Woodpecker”!  It lives in Ghana.  Or a “Quailfinch Indigobird”.  What the heck is that!  There are only a handful of records of it on eBird and no photos.  It is from Cameroon.
 
This feature is in development on eBird and hopefully will soon be available to the general public.
 
And don’t forget the RMN Photo page at:
http://www.rockymountainnaturalists.org/nature-photos-by-us.html
 
Happy birding and um, er, naturing!
 
Dianne C.

​July 24, 2018
Leaders:  Wendy Hogg and Gretchen Whetham

On a warm summer morning fourteen members set off up Maus Creek and arrived at the Maus/Tanglefoot trailhead parking lot with only one flat tire.  It was changed very quickly and we set off up the trail. The low early sunlight made the Indian Hellebore and Cow Parsnip radiant and the woods were noisy with Pacific Wrens and Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes. Jo Ellen compiled a plant list (68 species of flowers and shrubs) and Katrin kept a bird list (20+ species).  We also saw mule deer, pikas, marmots, and a frog and tadpoles. 

After a leisurely lunch at the Tarns, we retraced our steps and explored the entry of the old Victor Mine on our way back to the trailhead.  By mid-afternoon the temperature was up to the high 20's and we enjoyed ice cream before returning to Cranbrook.

Cranbrook and Kimberley Christmas Bird Counts
2 January 2018
By Dianne Cooper, Compiler

-edited and finalized results 9 Jan 2018

The 20th annual Cranbrook and Kimberley Christmas Bird Counts were held on Wednesday December 27th and Saturday December 30th, 2017 respectively.  Twenty-two people took part as field observers on one or both counts, and 20 people contributed feeder counts.  Most field observers live in Cranbrook or Kimberley but some came from Fernie and people from Edmonton and Burnaby, visiting family in the area, also helped out.  Cranbrook and Kimberley people also participate in counts in other areas; this year they went to Fernie, Creston, and Eureka, Montana.

On Count Day, teams of counters cover as much of the 24-km diameter circle as possible to tally all birds they see; feeder counters tally the highest number of a species in their yard.
 
Count Week extends three days either side of Count Day.  Any species NOT seen on Count Day but seen during Count Week can be included in the official report to Bird Studies Canada but numbers of individuals of “count week” species are not added to the count tally.
 
Cranbrook Results
Count day:  27 December 2017
Count week: 24 – 30 December 2017
Audubon / Bird Studies Canada Count #118 BCCB
Total species, count day: 52
Total species, count week:  54
Total individuals: 2,922
 
The weather for the Cranbrook count was cold, as usual, with temperatures ranging from -22 C to -15 C.  Moyie Lake and the Cranbrook sewage lagoons were partly unfrozen.  People going out into the field, driving, cross-country skiing, or walking numbered 14 intrepid birders and 13 people counted at their feeders.  The 24-kilometer diameter circle goes from St. Eugene Mission to Green Bay on Moyie Lake and from Old Wycliffe to Gold Creek.  Also included is the Trans-Canada Trail to Rampart Rest Area.
 
Fifty-two species were recorded on count day.  This ties the record of 52 species from December 2012.
 
During count week (3 days before and after count day), two additional species were seen: Brown Creeper, which has been relatively abundant this fall, and a Brown Thrasher, another new species for the count circle.
 
The Brown Thrasher is a rare visitor to Cranbrook, having been seen twice previously, in the early months of  2013 and 2015.  The bird here this year has been visiting a feeder adjacent to Joseph Creek north of the Rec Plex since the 9th of December; but was not seen on count day.
 
Another rare bird in Cranbrook this winter was a female Northern Cardinal.  This is the first confirmed record for the species in British Columbia.  She too, was living along Joseph Creek from the 7th of November to the 8th of December.  Several birders from all over the province have driven or flown to Cranbrook to view her to add her to their British Columbia life list.  It would have been nice to see it on count day but she has not been spotted for a while.
 
The total number of individual birds counted was 2,922 which is about in the middle range (1,000 – 6,000).
 
Bohemian Waxwing (825) was the most numerous species, as usual.  Other numerous birds included Mallard (406), Rock Pigeon (246), Common Redpoll (268), House Finch (176), Common Raven (148), and American Crow (147).
 
Record high counts were recorded for Bald Eagle (17), Northern Flicker (37), and Blue Jay (27).  The 406 Mallards counted were the second highest ever and the 246 Rock Pigeons counted were the fifth highest.
 
Only 1-3 individuals were seen for 24 species such as American Goldfinch, American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Black-billed Magpie, Mourning Dove, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Great Blue Heron, and Common Merganser.
 
For only the third time in the count’s history, Hoary Redpoll (1), Common Merganser (1), and American Wigeon (2) were sighted.
 
Our favourite feeder birds such as Black-capped (125) and Mountain Chickadee (113), Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Stellar’s Jay, Song Sparrow, House Finch, and Pine Siskin were counted in their usual numbers over all, even if scare at some feeders.  Evening Grosbeaks (3), low in number over the past several years, seem to have been replaced by their red-hued cousins, the Pine Grosbeak (74).
 
Species whose numbers appear lower than usual were Common Raven (148, average 259), Mourning Dove (1), Clark’s Nutcrackers (5), Dark-eyed Junco (7), Red Crossbill (2), and House Sparrow (11).
 
Notable species seen, and always nice to get were Norther Shrike (3), American Dipper (7), and Townsend’s Solitaire (13) – all showing average numbers.   Two Chestnut-backed Chickadee were recorded – they sometimes frequent feeders here in the winter, having come down from higher elevations where they breed.  A few American Robins may not go as far southward as the rest – only one was recorded this year, as was one American Goldfinch.
   
Northern Pygmy-Owl, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper are normally seen on count day but were not to be found this year, although the Creeper was spotted during count week.
 
The Count-up potluck was graciously hosted by Bob and Gretchen again this year and much warm and good food was provided and consumed.
 
Thanks to field counters, drivers, recordists, skiiers, hikers, feeder counters and everyone that helped make these counts successful once again!  Mark your calendars for similar dates next year!
 
Cranbrook Christmas Bird Count #118 – Complete list of species – 27 Dec 2017

1         American Wigeon 2
2          Mallard  406
3          Green-winged Teal  2
4          Common Goldeneye  27
5          Barrow's Goldeneye  1
6          Hooded Merganser  2
7          Common Merganser  1
8          Ruffed Grouse  2
9          Great Blue Heron  1
10        Golden Eagle  1
11        Northern Goshawk  1
12        Bald Eagle  17
13        Rough-legged Hawk  1
            hawk sp.  1
14        Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  246
15        Eurasian Collared-Dove  2
16        Mourning Dove  1
17        Downy Woodpecker  19
18        Hairy Woodpecker  13
19        Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)  37
20        Pileated Woodpecker  9
21        Merlin  4
22        Northern Shrike  3
23        Gray Jay  3
24        Steller's Jay  7
25        Blue Jay  27
26        Black-billed Magpie  1
27        Clark's Nutcracker  5
28        American Crow  147
29        Common Raven  148
30        Black-capped Chickadee  125
31        Mountain Chickadee  113
32        Chestnut-backed Chickadee  2
            chickadee sp.  9
33        Red-breasted Nuthatch  50
            Brown Creeper  cw
34        American Dipper  7
35        Golden-crowned Kinglet  1
36        Townsend's Solitaire  13
37        American Robin  1
            Brown Thrasher  cw
38        European Starling  69
39        Bohemian Waxwing  825
40        Dark-eyed Junco  7
41        Song Sparrow  5
42        Red-winged Blackbird  5
43        Evening Grosbeak  3
44        Pine Grosbeak  74
45        House Finch  176
46        Cassin's Finch  2
47        Common Redpoll  268
48        Hoary Redpoll  1
49        Red Crossbill  2
50        Pine Siskin  14
51        American Goldfinch  1
52        House Sparrow  11

 

 
Kimberley Results
 
Count day:  30 December 2017
Count week: 27 December 2017 – 2 January 2018
Audubon / Bird Studies Canada Count #118 BCKB
Total species count day: 44
Total species count week:  44
Total individuals:  2,203
 
The weather for the Kimberley count was cold, as usual, but a little warmer than for the Cranbrook count and warmer than some of the previous years.  Temperatures ranged from -15 C to -11 C.  Significant amounts of snow overnight meant that some participants could not attend and side roads were still unplowed. Open water was visible only on the Saint Mary’s and Kootenay Rivers.
 
People going out into the field, driving and walking, numbered 12 intrepid birders and 7 people counted birds at their feeders.  The 24-kilometer diameter circle, although named “Kimberley”, goes from Alpine Crescent on the ski hill eastward include Bummer’s Flats, and from Wycliffe northward to Wasa.
 
Forty-four species were recorded on count day, which is an average number of species for the Kimberley Circle.  
                  
Two new species were added to the all-time species list for the Kimberley circle.  One Cooper’s Hawk was spotted in Ta Ta Creek and one Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, often seen at a feeder on Wycliffe Cherry Creek Rd in winter, was finally gotten on count day.  This now puts Kimberley’s total number of species seen on count day at 80 species. 
 
No additional species were added during count week.  The total number of individual birds counted was 2,183 which is about in the middle range (1,200 – 6,500) for Kimberley.
 
Bohemian Waxwing (757) was the most numerous species, as usual, but this is one quarter of the almost 3,000 seen on the January 2000 count and a bit less than on the Cranbrook count.  Other numerous birds included Common Redpoll (369 – over a hundred more than Cranbrook), Black-capped Chickadee (131 – about the same as Cranbrook), House Finch (111), Mountain Chickadee (106), and Pine Grosbeak (102 – missed last year).
 
Record high counts were recorded for Snow Bunting thanks to a report of a flock of about 90 birds which has been using the fields off Porteous Road.  Record or tied-with record numbers were also counted for Canada Goose (19), Bald Eagle (14), Downy Woodpecker (38), and Pileated Woodpecker (16).  Also high were Northern Flicker (39 – 3rd time for this highest number), and Common Redpoll (369).
 
Only 1-3 individuals were seen for 11 species such as Common Goldeneye, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Shrike, Steller’s Jay, Brown Creeper, and Pine Siskin.  Other species making a rare or unusual appearance were Chestnut-backed Chickadee (4 – 4th time on count), Pygmy Nuthatch (4 – 4th time), and Rough-legged Hawk (1 – 6th time).
 
For the remainder of favourite feeder birds, some numbers were average and some were down.  Average or above average were Hairy Woodpecker (17), Mountain Chickadee (106), Red-breasted Nuthatch (43).  Below average were: Steller’s Jay (10), Blue Jay (2), Black-capped Chickadee (131 – even though they are one of our more numerous species), Dark-eyed Junco (7), Evening Grosbeaks (23 – still much higher than Cranbrook’s 3 birds), Red Crossbill (12), Pine Siskin (2) and House Sparrow (11)..
 
The number of the larger corvids, Common Raven (54) and American Crow (49), was a half to a third of their usual – perhaps because school was not in session when the Kimberley count was done so the birds were spread throughout the towns.  Clark’s Nutcracker (26) was also low.
 
One species seemingly increasing is the Eurasian Collared-Dove (9) which first appeared on Christmas Bird Counts in the area 6 years ago.  They were first found in Florida in 1982 and have since expanded northwest as far as Alaska, reaching this latitude in the 2010s.
 
Regarding Wild Turkey.  This species is seen more frequently on the Kimberley count than the Cranbrook one.  The 3 or 4 turkeys that made a corner of Marysville their winter home late last winter were not to be seen, but 39 were counted in other areas within the count circle.
 
Other notable species seen, and always nice to get were American Dipper (4) along Mark Creek and the St. Mary’s River, as usual, and Townsend’s Solitaire (10).
   
Species missed, which are usually seen on half the counts over the past 20 years were Red-tailed Hawk, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, and American Goldfinch.
 
Also missed was a bird representing the first documented sighting of the species in the East Kootenay.  Throughout the fall and early winter, a single Anna’s Hummingbird was frequenting a heated feeder on Clearview Road.  This was the first documented Anna’s for the East Kootenay.  Unfortunately, the bird has not been seen since 16 December 2017.  Reports of it being chased by a Northern Shrike may explain its disappearance.  The Anna’s is known to be less likely to migrate and will brave cold temperature and snow, even when nesting.  It has been expanding its range northward from California since the 1960s.
 
The Count-up was hosted by Marysville Pub who are always very accommodating to our group and have great food and service.  Thank you!
 
Thanks to all field counters, drivers, recordists, hikers, feeder counters and everyone that helps make these counts successful!  Special thanks to new-to-the-circle CBCrs Shannon and Martin for stepping up and taking on a whole area on their first time out.  Hope you all had fun and can be a CBCer again next year!
 
Kimberley Christmas Bird Count #118 – Complete list of species – 30 Dec 2017

1          Canada Goose  19
2          Common Goldeneye  1
3          Common Merganser  6
            Duck sp.  1
4          Wild Turkey  39
5          Cooper's Hawk  1
6          Bald Eagle  14
7          Rough-legged Hawk  1
8          Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  20
9          Eurasian Collared-Dove  9
10        Northern Pygmy-Owl  2
11        Downy Woodpecker  38
12        Hairy Woodpecker  17
13        Northern Flicker  39
14        Pileated Woodpecker  16
15        Northern Shrike  2
16        Steller's Jay  3
17        Blue Jay  2
18        Black-billed Magpie  11
19        Clark's Nutcracker  26
20        American Crow  49
21        Common Raven  54
22        Black-capped Chickadee  131
23        Mountain Chickadee  106
24        Chestnut-backed Chickadee  4
            chickadee sp.  10
25        Red-breasted Nuthatch  43
26        White-breasted Nuthatch  4
27        Pygmy nuthatch  4
28        Brown Creeper  2
29        American Dipper  4
30        Townsend's Solitaire  10
31        European Starling  17
32        Bohemian Waxwing  757
33        Snow Bunting  90
34        American Tree Sparrow  4
35        Song Sparrow  5
36        Evening Grosbeak  23
37        Pine Grosbeak  102
38        Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch  1
39        House Finch  111
40        Cassin's Finch  10
41        Common Redpoll  369
42        Red Crossbill  12
43        Pine Siskin  2
44        House Sparrow  12

Posted by Dianne C.

Here are some new maps of both the Cranbrook and Kimberley Christmas Bird Count Circles.

Each circle is 24 km in diameter; and we traditionally include some areas outside the circle, as shown.

So, if you are a feeder watcher, you can double check which circle you are in!

Thanks!

              
News Release from Bird Studies Canada
                                   
 
Birdwatchers Come Together in the East Kootenay to Participate in the 118th Christmas Bird Count
 
Cranbrook, 14 November 2017, courtesy of Rocky Mountain Naturalists
 
Another Christmas Bird Count season is around the corner! Between December 14, 2017 and January 5, 2018, tens of thousands of bird and winter enthusiasts will rally together to count millions of birds across the continent as part of the 118th year of this long-running wildlife survey. Participants in Invermere, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Creston and Fernie will take part in this fun winter tradition, many rising before dawn and counting birds until sunset!
 
Each year, Bird Studies Canada and the National Audubon Society help coordinate and support the efforts of more than 2500 counts throughout the Western Hemisphere. Christmas Bird Counts are run across Canada and the United States, as well as in Latin America, the Caribbean, and some Pacific Islands. Data collected during the counts include details on the number of birds of each species seen or heard within a local 24-km diameter circle. Surveying this circle year-after-year contributes valuable long-term information on how winter birds are faring, both in your locale and across the country.
 
Novice or experienced, the Christmas Bird Count is for everyone. Whether you like exploring forests, fields, and waters in search of lingering migrants, or prefer counting feeder birds from your window with a warm mug in hand, the Christmas Bird Count offers diverse opportunities for participation. No matter how you contribute, all Christmas Bird Count observations are used to study the health of winter bird populations over time and guide conservation strategies to help birds and their habitats.
 
“Every Christmas Bird Count participant is an important part of this valuable project for birds,” says Liz Purves, Bird Studies Canada’s Christmas Bird Count Coordinator. “Whether you participate for bird conservation, for some friendly birding competition, or for an excuse to get outside in the winter, your efforts are meaningful for birds.” The skills and dedication of thousands of volunteer Citizen Scientists harnessed during the Christmas Bird Count achieve incredible results that professional scientists and wildlife biologists could never accomplish alone.
 
During last year’s count in Canada, over 3 million birds of 278 species were counted by 14,000 participants in 447 counts across the country. Counts were conducted across diverse habitat types in each of Canada’s provinces and territories – from coast to coast to coast!
 
The Christmas Bird Count took root over a century ago when 27 birders in 25 localities from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California, led by ornithologist Frank Chapman, proposed a conservation-oriented alternative to the traditional ‘side hunt,’ a Christmas Day competition to hunt the most birds and small mammals. This alternative initiative to identify, count, and record all the birds found on Christmas Day 1900 has turned into one of North America’s longest-running wildlife monitoring programs.
 
For more information about the Christmas Bird Count, or to find the location of additional counts, visit Bird Studies Canada’s website at www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/cbc.
 
Local count dates this year are:
Fernie: Thursday 14 December 2017
Lake Windermere: Tuesday 26 December 2017
Cranbrook: Wednesday 27 December 2017
Creston: Wednesday 27 December 2017
Kimberley: Saturday 30 December 2017
 
#   #   #
 
Bird Studies Canada is our country’s leading science-based bird conservation organization. Our mission is to conserve wild birds of Canada through sound science, on-the-ground actions, innovative partnerships, public engagement, and science-based advocacy. Over 40,000 volunteer Citizen Scientists participate in our programs, including the annual Christmas Bird Count.
 
 
 
For further information, contact the RMN CBC Press Coordinator, Daryl Calder

The East Kootenay has had a couple of rare bird sightings in the last two weeks.  The first was an Anna's Hummingbird first seen by residents on Clearview Road in the Wycliffe area. Four verification pictures were sent to the British Columbia Field Ornithologists (BCFO) and confirmed as an ANNA’s by Mel Hurting, the BC Rare Bird co-ordinator.

The second was a female Northern Cardinal first seen by Katrin Powell and identified by Greg Ross again confirmed by the BCFO rare bird committee.  The Northern Cardinal (once thoroughly investigated by the BCFO rare bird committee) will be the first accepted sighting in British Columbia. 

Anna's Hummingbird photos - Lyle Grisedale
Northern Cardinal photos - Katrin Powell

The BC Rare Bird Blog regarding the Northern Cardinal can be viewed here =
bcbirdalert.blogspot.ca/2017/11/rba-northern-cardinal-in-cranbrook-nov.html