Christmas bird count went ahead, results coming soon
There is one annual event that was not affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
The annual Christmas bird count took place Dec. 20 and results of the findings are being tabulated.
Corlaine Gardner, Medicine Hat Interpretive Program, says that there were “dozens of bird watchers” assigned specific territories to monitor and record what they saw. Others were carefully watching the bird feeders in their own back yards.
“The birds were well fed even if the bird watchers had to forego the usual potluck feast at the end of the day,” said Gardner. “Luckily, bird watching and being out in the wonderful nature surrounding us is very possible while following COVID precautions. “
Marty Drut, park interpreter, will soon reveal some of the unexpected birds that were seen and also how many of the ones seen each year were around this time.
In 2018 the number of Canada geese counted was a record at about 20,000, but in 2019 that number had dropped to about 17,000.
In 2019 the official bird count took place on Dec. 15, which was a little earlier than usual, but conditions were considered ideal — not too cold and not too windy. Officially the bird count can take place between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5.
In 2019 there were 44 participants plus 20 who monitored sightings at bird feeders. They recorded a total of 56 species, which was two fewer than what was counted in 2018.
Some of the exciting results in 2019 included seeing about 200 horned larks, a small prairie song bird. This was particularly exciting because between 2010 and 2018 there was only one year where more than four had been seen in the count, said Drut at the time. There were a number of snow buntings, 321, they’d last been seen in 2016. There were 61 pine grosbeak that had last been seen in 2017.
As soon as Drut has the numbers tabulated from the December 2020 count, the News will bring you the results.
If you are a bird watcher, or would like to become one — perhaps because you are spending more time out of doors during COVID — Grasslands Naturalists have published a book that will help you: Birding Trails of Southeastern Alberta. The book has full-colour photographs of birds, 15 detailed birding maps in colour, new birding destinations and easy to follow directions.
For more information contact Police Point Park Nature Centre or visit the website (www.naturelink.infor) or call 403-529-6225.