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Bluebird Report - SIBTS - 2020

17/5/2021

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Following is the 2020 report we received from the Southern Interior Bluebird Trail Society - who collates all the bluebird box nesting data from the southern interior.  So many birds! .... and monitors!  Good job!  Thanks everyone!

How did efforts to build up populations of cavity-nesting birds fare around British Columbia in 2020?
 
Thanks to SIBTS Nestbox Data Coordinator Kathy N., who compiled reports from monitors around the province. Here’s a summary, by geographical area.
 
Some areas normally have some of each bluebird species, Western (WEBL) and Mountain (MOBL). Other areas have only one species. Many areas also welcome Tree Swallows (TRES).
 
Cariboo Region
Sandy and Rita P. in Empire Valley had 103 MOBL nestings. There were 280 nestlings and 252 fledglings, a nice 90% success rate. TRES nested 33 times and had 113 nestlings with 90 fledging for a rate of 79.6%.
 
Sandy writes: “Wet, late spring resulted in a late start for season, but the Bluebirds had a pretty good year except not a lot of second broods because of the late spring.  Tree Swallows did not fair very well, we had a lot of heavy prolonged rains.  Not good conditions for Swallows.  Bear problem was not as bad this year as last but did lose 8 Bluebird and 2 Swallow nests due to bear.”
 
Castlegar Area
Paula N. in Upper Ootishenia had 6 MOBL nestings that gave 27 nestlings, all of which fledged, i.e. 100%. She also had one nesting of TRES that was 100% successful with 5 fledging.
 
Cranbrook Area
The Rocky Mountain Naturalists have many members monitoring trails throughout the area, with 344 boxes used. Collectively they had 145 WEBL nestings with 639 hatchings that produced 578 fledglings, a 90.5% success rate.
For MOBL, 89 nestings with 386 hatchlings and 345 fledglings, a 89.4% success rate.
TRES had 159 nestings, 757 hatchlings and 531 fledglings; 70.1%.
 
Greenwood Area
Ray and Judy F. found one MOBL nesting. It was 100% successful, producing 5 fledglings.
 
They also report that a House Wren built an entire nest late in the season but never laid any eggs.
“On another note, we had erected an outhouse near the garden last year but hadn't yet screened in the space under the back of the roof.  A pair of Pacific-slope flycatchers decided that a short 2x4 shelf beside the door was a good place for a nest.  They raised 5 young ones, and we opened the door enough when they were large enough so that the babies would not have to fly up to the roof opening when it came time to leave the nest.   Now we can use the outhouse again, and it will get fully screened before next spring!”
 
Kelowna Area
At Black Mountain, Carol M. reported 4 WEBL nestings that had 20 nestlings, but only 10 fledglings, a 50% rate. One MOBL nesting was 100% successful with 6 fledged. Three TRES nestings produced only 5 fledglings from 11 hatchlings, a low 45.5% rate.
 
Carol writes: "With 15 boxes monitored, the results are disappointing.  Especially, the number of bluebirds ready to fledge and then all be found dead in their nests.  At least the cattle were out of the park so none of the boxes were knocked off their posts.  At first we thought the unusual wet weather this year might have created a blowfly situation as one group of dead Western Bluebirds had maggots on them.  However, after reading an article in the North American Bluebird Society summer 2020 journal, I wonder if the lack of insects was the cause of the deaths.  Most of the deaths happened just before fledging, so perhaps the adults were unable to keep up with the hungry mouths.  We saw adults around while the bluebirds were alive.  It is possible that the adults died or abandoned the nests for lack of food.

The article I refer to is “Insect Populations Continue to Plummet – What Does This Mean for Bluebirds?” by Bernie Daniel, Ph.D.  After sharing the recent drastic fall of populations of insects worldwide, a few possible causes are suspected:
--Intensification of agriculture (in our case the decimation of grassland just to the west of the bluebird trail).
--Development of newer generations of pesticides which are a little too effective on insects (phenylpyrazoles and neonicotinoids in particular).
--Biological factors such as pathogens introduced by species from other continents.
--Unfavourable conditions brought on by climate change.
“Next year we plan to remove boxes 7-12 which have not been productive for a few years, and put them and some extra boxes we have along the Gopher Creek fence line.  We will do this and clean out the boxes in the fall.  Maybe, we’ll have to start providing meal worms for the bluebirds!!!  How will we do that?”
 
On the Gallagher’s Canyon and Mission Greenway trails, Rick G. had 4 WEBL nestings producing 16 nestlings and 13 fledglings for a rate of 81.3%. He also had 7 TRES nestings with 19 nestlings that gave 12 fledglings, a 63.2% rate.
 
At UBCO, Hamilton reported 13 nestings of WEBL with 62 hatchlings and 62 fledglings, a 100% success story.
 
Lake Country Area
On the Beaver Lake Trail, Stu W. and Ann G. had 1 WEBL nesting that had no fledglings. MOBL were a bit better with 4 nestings, 12 nestlings and 4 fledglings, a 33.3% success rate. TRES had 11 nestings, 20 nestlings, 8 fledglings and a 40% rate.
 
Stu adds: “Nest Boxes available – I have 31 boxes on my trail, however, an interloper has installed 11 + new boxes between mine, in no particular order.  One of our club members, in early May, opened each of the 11 boxes and found evidence of occupation: MTBL, WEBL, HOWR, TRSW, including nests, eggs and sitting birds.  These boxes were not monitored further.”
 
Lillooet Area
Lillooet Naturalists’ Club members look after trails Diamond S Ranch, OK Ranch and Kelly Lake. They enjoyed 58 MOBL nestings that gave 248 nestlings and 212 fledglings, a rate of 85.5%. There were also 52 TRES nestings, 162 nestlings, 118 fledglings, for a rate of 72.8%.
 
Logan Lake Area
Ray T. looks after many boxes. 114 nestings of MOBL resulted in 449 nestlings and 412 fledglings, a rate of 91.8%. From 200 TRES nestings there were 798 nestlings and 660 fledging; 82.7%.
 
Osoyoos Area
At the Desert Centre, Leor O. reported 13 WEBL nestings, resulting in 59 hatchlings and 34 fledglings, for a disappointing 57.6% success rate. One TRES nesting produced a 100% success rate with 4 young fledging.
 
Bob S. writes: “This is a quick summary for 2020 of 8 bluebird boxes on the road up to Mount Kobau. I submitted a report form last year where the boxes did produce some successes. Not so for 2020, so no completed form.
“Out of a total of 4 boxes (2 with 6 chicks and 2 with 5), no young survived to fledge. By our best guesses, a bear destroyed one box, probably the mother was killed or abandoned another nest as the young were found dead and dessicated, and the two remaining nests were probably predated by snakes or weasels as evidenced by eggshell fragments (prior to hatching).
“With so much predator loss in a relatively wild area, the decision was made to retire the boxes from the Mount Kobau Road area and not attempt efforts there in the future.”
 
Penticton Area
On the West Bench, above Sage Mesa, Myrna B. reported that there were 9 WEBL nestings, 46 hatchlings and 36 fledglings; 78.3%. MOBL had 2 nestings, 10 hatchlings and 10 fledging; 100%.
 
Myrna adds: “Some eggs and chicks lost to snakes, I’m assuming Gopher snakes.  Nests clean and no other disturbance.”
 
Quesnel Area
The Quesnel Trail & Nature Club looks after trails at Dragon Lake and West Fraser. Combined, these locations produced 14 MOBL nestings with 43 nestlings and 38 fledglings, for a rate of 88.4%. TRES had 15 nestings producing 68 hatchlings and 57 fledglings; 83.8%.
 
Vernon Area
The North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club had many active trails with a total of 302 nest boxes used.
There were 90 nesting of WEBL resulting in 377 hatchlings. 290 fledged, a 76.9% success rate. MOBL had 12 nestings with a 100% success rate for 54 hatchlings. Meanwhile TRES had 176 nestings, producing 678 nestlings and 406 fledging for a low rate of 60%.
 
White Lake/Willowbrook Area
Audrey M. had 5 nestings of WEBL, resulting in 20 hatchlings and 20 fledglings, 100% successful. MOBL had 3 nestings, 12 nestlings and 12 fledglings, 100%. Then there were 3 TRES nestings, 100% successful with 15 nestlings and fledglings.
 
Province-wide our reporters had a total of 1,884 nest boxes available, with 1,328 being used, a 70.5% occupancy which is lower than normal. The overall successful fledging rate was 84.2% for WEBL, 89.7% for MOBL and a low 72.2% for TRES.
 
Other cavity nesters that were reported in smaller numbers were House Wrens, Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees, European Starlings, Pygmy Nuthatches, White-breasted Nuthatches and House Sparrows. Monitors also found some mammals in boxes: Red Squirrel, Chipmunk and mice.
 
No reports were received for nest box trails in and around Kamloops, Trail, Kilpoola-Osoyoos, Summerland (Bald Range), other trails at White Lake, Williams Lake, or Bulkley Valley. If any monitors in these areas, or other non-reporting areas, have data or anecdotes to share, please send them in even now to Kathy.

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RMN 2020 Activities Report

27/4/2021

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RMN 2020 Activites:
Following is a summary of our work and involvement in nature and environmental issues as reported at our Annual General Meeting January 2021:
 
Upper Columbia Basin Environmental Collaborative - representative/member: Emma.  The UCBEC is an independent committee made up of representatives from several environmental groups. Its objective is to ensure ecosystems are considered in operations and mitigations of all upper Columbia hydroelectric dams and in the Columbia River Treaty.  This is accomplished by providing knowledge, technical support, comments, and support of public involvement in Treaty discussions.
 
Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resource Society - representative/member: Jo Ellen.  The Trench society is a non-profit made up of nine other East Kootenay environmental societies.  They oversee the restoration of grasslands through partnerships with government, industry, First Nations and other non-government agencies.  Restoration work last year was at the Old Kimberley Airport, Hidden Valley/Silver Springs, Hatchery Ridge, and Sheep Mountain.
 
Early Morning Birding - a regular Wednesday morning field trip dedicated to birdwatching.  The skill of the birders varies from beginner through expert level. This year (2020) some of the more interesting outings involved hiking into McGinty Lake, hiking along the bootleg hoodoos trail, and through the Moyie Lake narrows by canoe or kayak. Two most notable events this year were on March 18th, while near Jaffray, a golden eagle attacked a Canadian goose close by.  Then near Wasa we witnessed a juvenile cowbird being fed by a junco and later by another adoptive mother of a different species.  This activity is co-ordinated under and adheres to club’s new Covid19 guidelines.
 
Kootenay Community Bat Project - RMN co-ordinator: Scott.  We assist other groups and conduct counts of bats and build and maintain bat boxes.  Members assisted the Baynes Lake Community in setting up and conducting a bat count on 12 June 2020 where we counted a total of 472 bats.  Hopefully the RMN will have our own count location for 2021.

Bat Project Website: bcbats.ca/regions/kootenays/

 
Elizabeth Lake Western Painted Turtle Nest Monitoring - RMN co-ordinator: Greg.  We monitor and maintain a turtle nesting area at Elizabeth Lake, Cranbrook under the auspices of the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program.
 
2019 / 2020 nesting year - eggs laid early in the year may hatch before winter, eggs laid in the fall will overwinter and the hatchlings emerge the next spring
 
100                                  nests found
952                                  total number of eggs found
333                                  dead eggs
223                                  dead turtle hatchlings found in the nests
69                                    live turtle hatchlings in nests
124                                  hatchlings that must have emerged on their own
193                                  Total hatchlings
50%                                 predation rate of turtle nests
 
In April/May of 2020, while repairing minor problems with the turtle fence, it was discovered that there was a major problem at the north end of bed A. There was essentially a ‘skunk highway’ from a downed tree over the fence. Thanks to Helga and Andy for delimbing the tree and removing the branches. The fence was repaired, and a cross fence was added to prevent skunk movement onto the beds. All the other minor breaks in the fence were repaired and the fenceline was brushed, to assist future monitoring. 
 
In 2020, there were 94 nests laid. So far, we have had no predation of the nests. In fact, there were no signs of skunks at all on the beds throughout the summer after the fence was repaired.
 
The weeds have been getting worse and worse over the years and it has become physically impossible to maintain weeding by hand. This year, 2 beds (beds C and D) were rotatilled and raked in the narrow window between fledging and nesting (2nd week of May) and it was a success. Thanks also to the Rocky Mountain Naturalist Volunteers that came to help weed out the invasive weeds in and around the beds. The invasive weeds are also on the increase in this area and will require constant monitoring.

Turtle radio media:
www.thedrivefm.ca/2020/08/19/fwcp-reports-improved-western-painted-turtle-hatchling-survival-rate-at-elizabeth-lake/


 
Bluebird Trails - RMN co-ordinator Marianne.  Nest boxes for cavity nesting birds are built, distributed, maintained and checked by many of our members.  We had 23 active routes this year with 22 providing data for the 2020 summary.  This involved about 30 dedicated volunteer monitors, most of them Rocky Mountain Naturalist members. The data is sent to the Southern Interior Bluebird Trail Society (SIBTS) to be included in their annual data collection.
 
There was an 89% occupancy rate in the total number of boxes.  Mountain and Western Bluebirds use a little over half the boxes followed by Tree Swallows.
 
This year the success rate of both Western and Mountain Bluebird from hatchlings to fledglings was lower by about 10% compared to 2019.  There were 485 Western Bluebird fledglings and 314 Mountain Bluebird fledglings.  Tree Swallow success was lower by about 15%.  One possibility for mortality, often at about one week to two weeks of age, was cool, wetter conditions in late June and early to mid July.  447 Tree Swallows fledged.  Interestingly, the only ‘other’ bird species reported nesting in the boxes were House Wrens.  They used 4 boxes and also had a lower success rate than usual with 14 fledging out of 21 hatchlings.
 
Christmas Bird Count - RMN co-ordinator: Dianne.  The #121 count, our 23rd officially, was conducted successfully in both Cranbrook and Kimberley following public heath regulations and recommendations.  Cranbrook was 26 Dec 2020 and Kimberley was 3 Jan 2021.  The weather was warm for both; roads were clear for Cranbrook but icy for Kimberley.
 
No new species were seen.  Cranbrook recorded 47 species which was an average number with the highlight being a "Woodpecker Grand Slam".  Kimberley recorded 51 species - a new record for number of species.  The number of individual birds counted was Cranbrook 3,424 - which is low, average 2640 - and Kimberley was very low: 1,284 - average 2,405.  Participation was about average with 19 field observers and 13 feeder watchers for Cranbrook and 15 field counters and 8 feeder watchers for Kimberley.

CBC #121 report:
www.rockymountainnaturalists.org/christmas-bird-counts.html

 
Skookumchuck Prairie Important Biodiversity Area - IBA Caretaker: Dianne.  All seemed well out on the prairie - no major habitat issues were noticed.  Long-billed Curlew and Lewis's Woodpecker were observed in their usual spots.  The annual field trips for Wings Over the Rockies did not happen due to public health measures.
 
Data from the 2018 and 2019 cavity nesting surveys for Lewis's Woodpecker and American Kestrel were submitted to the BC Species Inventory.  Lewis's Woodpecker nests were searched for on two days.  Major contributions to iNaturalist observations in Wasa Provincial Park were made by BC Parks consultants.
 
The RMN submitted a comment to Recreation Sites and Trails, Gov't of BC regarding a land use application made by the Kootenay Dirt Bike Association which would see them manage existing dirt bike / off road trails north of Ta Ta Creek and build a day use and camping area.  Most of the trails are within the IBA and some trails impact the western-most curlew nesting field and Wildlife Habitat Areas designated for antelope brush and bluebunch wheatgrass.  A decision on this land use has not been made at time of writing.
 
A crown land request for a log-sorting area within the IBA was not supported by the Regional District of East Kootenay; the RMN did not comment on this application.

iNaturalist Project for Skookumchuck Prairie IBA:
www.inaturalist.org/projects/skookumchuck-prairie-iba
 

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council - RMN representative: Frank.  The EKISC AGM Oct 7, 2020 - delayed from May 2020 due to Covid shutdown.  Inventories of invasive plants in the Upper Elk Valley and Wycliffe were started.
 
The 2020 Golden Shovel Award went to Pam Turyk of the Kootenay Livestock Assn. for her contribution to the board of directors over many years.  Dave Ralph of ISCBC was Keynote Speaker.  He talked about using herbicides in the Fall.
 
Elizabeth Lake Committee - RMN co-ordinator: Stewart.  Elizabeth Lake was the top birding hotspot in the East Kootenay with 167 species in 2020 according to eBird. In a year when Covid 19 affected all our lives, Elizabeth Lake proved to be a popular spot for birders including the EMB group, nature lovers, school groups at both the elementary and middle school level, people looking for a safe area to walk, as well as those who taking advantage of the picnic tables to enjoy a break. However, there was no Turtle Day for schools and the community in 2020 because of Covid, although Greg and Katrin continued to monitor the western painted turtle nesting areas on the W side of the lake.
 
Chris New, Director of Recreation and Culture with the City of Cranbrook, continued to liaise with the Elizabeth Lake group, consisting of Helga, Greg, George F. and Stewart, up until his retirement in December 2020. Prior to that Chris submitted a proposal for funding for an upgrade of outdoor amenities including the trail, which forms a loop between the Tourist Information and the Elizabeth Lake Lodge, as well as an upgrade of the parking area off Wattsville Road, which would include an outhouse. A wooden observation tower close to the concrete hide was also part of the proposal.
 
Thanks to those who volunteered their time to pull invasive weeds near the turtle nursery area.
 
Membership Committee - RMN co-ordinator: Hasi. Sue R., long time member of the Naturalists, managed our membership position for many years.  She collected the fees, made sure forms were complete and updated including waivers, as well as communicating with the Executive.  Sue then submitted this information to BC Nature, our umbrella organization, so that members receive the quarterly BC Nature Magazine.  Sue has now retired from this position.  Sue, thank you for the time and effort you spent keeping our membership records.
 
In 2020, the Rocky Mountain Naturalists had 85 memberships on our list – a combination of family and single. Many of those people have renewed their membership for 2021.  Thank you for your support. 
 
Other committees and work: nothing to report or no reports available
Club Camp - no camp in 2020
Cranbrook Community Forest Planning Team
Kootenay Conservation Program
Little Big Day - no LBD in 2020 - replaced with Regional District of East Kootenay Big Day

Field Trips of 2020:
Aug 5 - Birding - Irrigation Ponds - Attendance: 6
Aug 14 - Weed Pulling Turtle Beds, Elizabeth Lake - 10
Aug 19 - Birding - Stump Lake - 8
Aug 26 - Birding - Haha Creek Rd - 7
Sep 2 - Birding - Elizabeth Lake - 4
Sep 7 - McGinty Lake Hike - 10
Sep 8 - Moyie Narrows - Paddling, Birding - 6
Sep 23 - Idlewild Park - Bi-monthly Meeting - 15
Sep 23 - Birding - Irrigation Ponds - 6
Sep 30 - Birding - Wardner/Fish Hatchery - 4
Oct 7 - Birding - Fish Hatchery/Fort Steele Wardner Rd - 10
Oct 15 - Hike - Steeples - 10
Oct 17 - Birding - October Big Day - 7
Oct 21 - Birding - Moyie north - 8
Nov 4 - Birding - Wycliffe - 8

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RMN Club Reports 

21/1/2017

 

2016 Bluebird Nesting Results - Marianne Nahm
Nestboxes available - 320 boxes
Nestboxes used -  286 boxes
Used by Western Bluebirds - 153 boxes, 977 eggs, 791 hatched, 711 fledged
Used by Mountain Bluebirds - 55 boxes, 304 eggs , 199 hatched, 184 fledged

Used by Tree Swallows - 104 boxes, 587 eggs, 526 hatched, 425 fledged
Used by House Wrens - 1 box, 6 eggs, 4 hatched, 4 fledged
Used by Mtn. Chickadees - 2 boxes, 13 eggs, 12 hatched, 12 fledged


This year we had 16 active routes with 20 + active volunteer monitors.
 
There are several long routes that I am splitting into smaller sections so that there is less of a time commitment and more people can become involved. Please let me know if you are interested in a route so that we could go out together several times to get you started. It is a very interesting, rewarding activity which involves a box check and clean-out in early April with the first monitoring beginning about the third week in May. It is necessary to go out every one and a half to two weeks until the beginning of August to monitor and record observations.
Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity. Marianne Nahm (via Comments below) 


2016 Membership Report - Susan Ross
At the end of 2015 there were; 37 single 26 family = 63 total memberships.
At the end of 2016 there were; 39 single 45 family = 84 total memberships.

2017 Rocky Mountain Naturalists memberships are now due;
$20.00 Single
$25.00 Family

Of last year’s members we have had 40 pay their 2017 membership dues.
Memberships can be paid at the next Rocky Mountain Naturalists meeting on January 18th. *Along with the signed waiver form.
Or sent to;
​Rocky Mountain Naturalists PO Box 791
Cranbrook, B.C.
V1C 4J5 



Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Report
January 2017 - Jo Ellen Floer

Two regular meetings and one field day meeting were held in 2017.
One of the main discussion topics at the November 18th meeting were the solar panel applications. The majority of the proposals are on lands already treated for ecosystem restoration through the Society. As the Trench society is made up of member organizations, each organization was encouraged to comment on the proposals rather than just submit input from the Society. Dianne Cooper submitted a report on behalf of the Naturalists.
The Society is pushing the RDEK to start enforcing the Weed Control Act on Private land. The RDEK is going to develop an enforcement policy matrix and provide information on approaches to enforcement. That has not been provided to the Trench Society yet but the RDEK has replied with “Please direct any inquiries or report properties of concern to Jamie Davies, Recreation and Control Services Supervisor. He can be reached at 250-489-2791 or by email at jdavies@rdek.bc.ca “. Consider this approach if you know of lands with weed concerns.
The Society also met with two representatives of the BC Wildfire Service (formerly BC Wildfire Management Branch) to discuss issues around prescribed burning and how to have more burns in the trench. They are aware that a ‘natural’ state is a more resilient state. While there is funding and the ability to carry out the initial treatments, the maintenance is not being done. The society has requested that the maintenance be written into the original prescriptions so treatment areas remain in a ‘natural’ state.


2015 / 2016 - Turtle Monitoring Report - Greg Ross
2015
Nests found during monitoring = 58 Nests found in the Spring = 4
Total nests recorded = 62


Spring of 2016
Total eggs laid in 2015 = 718
Dead Eggs = 137
Dead Turtles
– 49
Live Turtles in nest = 111
Turtles that emerged on their own = 421
Total live hatched turtles in 2016 = 532


2016
Nests found during monitoring = 83
Nests on top on previous nest = 2
Fall Emergent Nests found = 4
Total nests recorded = 89


Spring of 2017
Total eggs laid in 2016 = ?
Dead Eggs = ?
Dead Turtles = ?
Live Turtles in nest =
Turtles that emerged on their own = ?
Total live hatched turtles in 2017 = ? 


ELIZABETH LAKE REPORT - Stewart Wilson
1.  The City of Cranbrook upgraded washrooms at Visitor Centre during summer.
2.  300 metres of trails were added during summer. Volunteers prepared posts (360 posts cost $3000), and Bottle Bar Contracting carried out trail work at cost of $9000. 
3.  There is a grant of $2500 to use for signs. Daryl and the Sign Committee are working on having signs ready for spring 2017.
4.  Volunteers did weed pull by the trails in August.
5.  Volunteers tidied up or removed old posts by trails in the fall. 
6.  Katrin devised a trail survey to provide feedback from public and received 10 responses.
7.  Following the November meeting Myra spoke to an interested group about a proposed project to determine how terrestrial area of Elizabeth Lake can be restored and enhanced. Plan is to apply for Eco-Action funding in 2017.
8.  Greg continued to monitor turtles.
9. In April there was a successful Turtle Day. RMN members were in attendance.
10. Elizabeth Lake proved popular with classes from Gordon Terrace,TM Roberts and Parkland.
11.  Birders spent many Wednesday mornings at Elizabeth Lake.


​RMN Christmas Bird Counts report - Dianne Cooper
The 117th annual Christmas Bird Counts were conducted successfully on 28 December for Cranbrook and 4 January for Kimberley.  Dianne assumed organizing and compiling from Greg and Sue Ross.  The Ross’ took over from Anni Coulter and Mildred White in 1991 (I believe), initiating the count as an official Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Thank you for enthusiastically doing such a great job for 25 years, promoting the count, encouraging people to participate, hosting the count up many times, and much more.
Field observers numbered 15 for each count – not the same people – with some coming from Fernie and Wardner.  Cranbrook had 10 feeder counters and Kimberley had 6.
Each count had enough people this year to divide into the usual 4 teams to cover each of the four usual quadrants of the 24 km-in-diameter circle. Cranbrook sectors are Town-New Lake, Mission Wycliffe, Gold Creek, and Lumberton-Moyie.  Kimberley’s sectors are Town, the Northwest-Meadowbrook, Wasa and Wycliffe.
Cranbrook got 42 species on count day which was average; and Kimberley got 43 species which was above average for Kimberley. The highlights for the Cranbrook count include the following: the first record on a CBC for Northern Shoveler – four had been at the sewage lagoon since at least the end of October.  The highest number of Mallards ever were counted – the City ban on feeding them at the Mall seems to have had the opposite effect on their population or at least made them more visible on count day.  This year saw a flip in the ratio of American Crow to Common Raven in Cranbrook – usually there are more Ravens than Crows, but the opposite was recorded this year.  It was disappointing to miss Pine Grosbeak and White-winged Crossbill on the count after last year’s higher numbers for them.
The highlights for the Kimberley count include the following:  everyone survived the -32 C starting temperature.  Eurasian Collared-Dove numbers are increasing slowly since their first appearance in the area around 6 years ago – 18 were recorded.  Bald Eagles, Pileated Woodpecker and House Finches were at an all-time high.  A good number of American Goldfinch were recorded.
Both counts got good numbers of chickadees, except Chestnut-backed, perhaps the lower temperatures make them more evident at feeders.
Count week species – seen three days before, or three days after count day – turned up some very nice species: Varied Thrush, Pygmy Nuthatch, and a Common Redpoll for Cranbrook.  Yes, it was an off-year for most of the “winter finch” species, except for House Finch.

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