A total of 56 Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) submitted data in Alberta this past season, one count less than the year previous. Two new counts were added, one brand new, Lake Louise, and one historically conducted but now officially registered, BowKan (Exshaw). A total of 991 volunteers took to the fields while an equally impressive 679 were at feeders or yards. Thanks to everyone who participated in this annual tradition!
Edmonton had the most participation with 187 field counters, and 239 feeder counters. Calgary recorded the highest species diversity with 65 species, an increase of two compared to last year. Weather was typical, if not a little colder than usual. Horseshoe Canyon and Medicine Hat tied for coldest temperature reported on Count Day at -33 degrees Celsius. Nearly 138,000 individual birds of 111 species were reported during the season.
Canada Goose numbers were down, and for the first time in several consecutive years, the highest count in Canada did not come from Alberta. Odd ducks were present but in lower numbers than usual with only singles of Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Greater Scaup, and Long-tailed Duck.
Red Deer River reported the highest Canadian total for Ruffed Grouse (40). Two Common Loons at Hinton and a Great Blue Heron at Medicine Hat were noteworthy. An Osprey, also in Medicine Hat, is an exceptional winter record, and the only one reported in Canada. Bald Eagles were by far the most abundant raptor with a total of 190 reported across the province. Six Northern Hawk Owls at Opal and six Great Gray Owls at Cochrane Wildlife Reserve represent the highest counts for North America. Other owls were reported in usual low numbers.
Contrary to the trend in recent years, no gulls were reported during the 123rd CBC season in Alberta. The only shorebird species reported was Wilson鈥檚 Snipe (2) in Banff-Canmore. Noteworthy woodpecker counts came from Sheep River with the North American high of 15 American Three-toeds, and Edmonton with the Canadian high of 355 Downies. One White-winged Dove in Calgary was the rarest report for the province, and the only record in the country this season. The only Gyrfalcon reported was at Beaverlodge.
One Harris鈥檚 Sparrow was at Medicine Hat, and a second at Snake鈥檚 Head. A White-crowned Sparrow in Edmonton was noted, and White-throated Sparrows continue to increase with an impressive 15 reported from four circles. Single Common Grackles were in Calgary and Medicine Hat while the only Rusty Blackbird was reported at Red Deer River.
Compared to the past five years (average), finch numbers were down with low numbers of Pine Grosbeak (295; avg. 2564), Pine Siskin (71; avg. 715), and Evening Grosbeak (261; avg 467). The 123rd experienced the lowest numbers of Common Repoll in recent years, and the first time no Hoary Redpolls were reported. House Sparrows, while being the most abundant bird reported in the province, were in their lowest numbers since the 118th season, six years ago.