The 124th Christmas Bird Count in Canada

The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is so much more than just a holiday tradition. Every year thousands of people from all walks of life come together to count birds for conservation.  Thank you to everyone, from the most dedicated volunteers with decades of counts under them, to those who took part in their first count this year. Our collective efforts provide data that document the health of our ecosystems and the impacts of human presence on bird populations. Look no further than the recently released State of Canada’s Birds Report to learn about how CBC data are helping answer the question: how are the birds doing?

A total of 475 CBC circles submitted results for the 124th in Canada, which is consistent with the average in recent years. Six new counts were registered for the 2023-24 season: Amos (Quebec), Coldwater (Ontario); Iqaluit (Nunavut); Minto (New Brunswick) Redberry Lake (Saskatchewan), and Tawatinaw Valley (Alberta). The most counts took place in Ontario (131), followed by British Columbia (90), and Alberta (54).  A summary of counts in Canada is presented in Table 1. 

Edmonton, Alberta, once again had the most participants (535; 292 Field + 243 Feeder) not only for all of Canada, but for the entire Christmas Bird Count! Nineteen counts in Canada (Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa-Gatineau, Galiano-North Saltspring, Vancouver, London, Pitt Meadows, Toronto, Halifax-Dartmouth, Kingston, Sidne-South Saltspring, Winnipeg, Quebec, Algonquin P.P., Hamilton, Duncan, Ladner, White Rock-Surrey-Langley) involved 100 or more participants. 

The prevailing story during the 124th was the carryover effects of an extreme El Niño. While every year is different, this one seemed especially mild and dry with volunteers on the first counts of the season reported temperatures well above average. As it turns out, the warmer weather continued to keep birds around with many circles reporting new species or unusual species in higher than usual numbers. 

A total of 292 species were reported on the 124th CBC, an increase of thirteen species compared to last season. Four species (Gray Heron, Limpkin, Philadelphia Vireo, and Pinyon Jay) were new for the all-time Canada list, bringing the total to 442 species. Five additional species: American White Pelican, Fish Crow, Green Heron, Least Flycatcher, and White-eyed Vireo were only recorded during Count Week (three days prior to, and three days after a designated Count Day).

The top five most abundant species in terms of individuals reported on Canadian counts during the 124th CBC season, listed from highest to lowest, were: American Crow, Canada Goose, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco and Mallard. Four new species were added to the all-time Canadian list during the 124th CBC, which now stands at 443 species. Three of those four, were species that should be found much further south and this trend is increasing. A Limpkin near Point Pelee was not all that surprising given a northward trend in records in neighboring States.  One remarkably hardy individual Philadelphia Vireo endured London’s winter to become yet another addition to the CBC hall of fame. A Pinyon Jay found on the Vancouver Count was yet another reminder of how this event leads to the discovery of rare birds, leading to the enjoyment for all, as this bird stuck around for several weeks drawing in birders from all over Canada.

As is expected during years hosting a mild start to winter, typically result in high numbers and diversity of waterfowl. While not a high count compared to places where Snow Geese usually winter, 8 Snow Geese in Lethbridge, AB were the first sizable flock to be recorded on a CBC in the province. Two Pink-footed Geese from The Sydneys, NS were the highest count for North America, while Lethbridge, AB took top spot as Canada Goose capital of the world. Kingston, ON reported more naturalized Mute Swans than anywhere in North America; this introduced species has found a stronghold in the Great Lakes region. White Rock-Surrey-Langley is still by far and away the best place to see Eurasian Wigeons during winter with a North American high of 56. Counts adjacent to the great lakes reported North American highs for  Canvasback (Holiday Beach, ON), Redhead (Long Point, ON), Long-tailed Duck (Peach Tree, ON), and Red-breasted Merganser (Blenheim, ON).

The chicken department is often a place where Canadian Counts contribute a great deal and the 124th was no exception with North American high counts of Gray Partridge (Regina, SK), Spruce Grouse  and Willow Ptarmigan (both from Yellowknife, NT). A mere 30 years ago, Anna’s Hummingbirds started showing up in small numbers in southwestern British Columbia. Today, more Anna’s Hummingbirds are recorded in Victoria, BC, than anywhere else during winter!

Shorebird diversity was excellent this season with noteworthy reports of Semipalmated Plover (Cortes Island, BC), Ruff (St. John’s, NL), and Lesser Yellowlegs (Cape Sable Island, NS). The wintering population of Dunlin in the Ladner circle is still the highest in North America numbering just shy of 40,000 individuals. Jaegers are always a special treat on a CBC, and two different Pomarines were noted in Nova Scotia (Cape Sable Island and Lunenburg) while a Parasitic was at Halifax-Dartmouth. The 124th was a good one for southerly Yellow-billed Loons, and singles were found on three counts in British Columbia (Kamloops, Ladner, Parksville-Qualicum Beach). 

Black Vultures continue to expand northward with 12 at Niagara Falls, ON. One Osprey at each Hamilton and Long Point is noteworthy. Regina, SK reported the most Snowy Owls, while a high of three Northern Hawk Owls in Parc Aiguebelle, QC, eight Northern Pygmy-Owl in Oliver-Osoyoos, and five Great Gray Owls at Cochrane Wildlife Reserve were all North American high counts. 

Counts in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario typically report high counts for Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, but the slightly lower numbers are likely attributed to reduced reliance on feeder due to  mild weather. Twelve American Three-toed Woodpeckers at Sheep River was however a North American High. Corvids seem to be doing well, with the North American highs for Black-billed Magpie (Edmonton, AB), American Crow (Woodstock, ON), and Common Raven (Yellowknife, NT) all from Canada. Barn Swallows on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland were on the rise. 

The mild weather during December meant it was a banner year for neotropical species in the Atlantic region. No less than 17 species of warbler (including Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula, Prairie Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Wilson’s Warbler), reported during the 124th, compared to only nine species the year previous! Winnipeg, MB had its first ever Pine Warbler while an impressive 10 individuals were at Halifax-Dartmouth, NS. Other finds that should have been somewhere much warmer included one Summer Tanager (Sidney-South Saltspring, BC) and two Western Tanagers (Bridgetown, NS and Toronto, ON). 

Table 1. 124^th Christmas Bird Count in Canada Summary