The 2019 annual Christmas Bird Count produced a record number of species counted in the history of the event in Kitimat.
The event, which took place on Saturday, December 14, was what bird count compiler April Macleod called “a perfect day for birding.”
“The total number of individual birds counted was 5,620, the highest number of birds counted during our Christmas bird counts,” said Macleod.
There were six parties out in the field for a total of 16 birders and 12 birders watching feeders.
The total species count was 67 for Saturday, which is a new high count for one day of birding during the Christmas bird count.
Some of the highlights of the count were high counts for Northern Flickers, Stellar’s Jays and Purple Finches.
However, no Eurasian Collared-Doves were seen and the count for Chestnut-backed Chickadees was very low.
Unusual species seen and counted were a Wood duck, a Redhead duck, and one lone Snow Goose.
The numbers for the usual winter resident birds remain fairly consistent – Canada Geese, over a thousand, Mallards under 700, 11 Great Blue Herons, 15 Trumpeter Swans and over 500 Dark-eyed Juncos.
Thank you to the continued co-operation from our industrial partners Rio Tinto, Kitimat LNG and LNG Canada for providing access to the industrial areas of our count circle.
Thank you to all the local birders who helped make Kitimat’s 2019 Christmas Bird count one of our best!