After all the storms of December the amiable weather on January 5th was a big relief to the 34 enthusiastic islanders who participated in the 2002 Christmas Bird Count (CBC).

The count took place on the last eligible day for the 2002 period. From it’s modest beginning 103 years ago with 27 conservationists surveying 25 localities, the CBC now involves 55,000 volunteers from every Canadian province and territory, the USA, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies, and a number of Pacific islands.

Our goal on Cortes was to beat or match last year’s count of 71 species, a tall order since we were unable to arrange for a boat to survey Marina Island and spit, an important area for observing aquatic species.

After meeting at 9 a.m. in the Manson’s Hall parking lot 20 birders divided up into three groups to cover as much of the island as possible in daylight hours. They scanned seascapes and prowled back roads from Coulter Bay to Smelt Bay, binoculars, scopes, and bird books in hand. Levi Verschuur volunteered as an expert guide, to lead one group through the swamps, marshes and fields of Blue Jay Lake Farm.

This group felt fortunate to identify a trumpeter swan, a common snipe, a Bewick’s wren, a Virginia rail, and a rare three-toed woodpecker, as well as a number of more common bird species. The highlights of those scanning the South end included one green-winged teal, dunlin, common murre, sharp shinned hawk, golden-crowned sparrow, and brown creeper.

Charlotte Sirk made an unconfirmed sighting of a very rare cockatiel, known to frequent the Goring residence. At the North end, counters were excited about spotting 30 western sandpipers, a black oystercatcher, a red tailed hawk, pileated woodpeckers, as well as many more common species. In total the “roadies” spotted 66 different bird species!

Fourteen islanders also participated in the count by observing birds in their backyard. These counts were phoned in at the end of the 24 hour period. They spotted an additional 7 species, including a Thayers gull, 2 cowbirds, a marsh wren, a red-breasted sapsucker, a barred owl, a lesser scaup and 4 house sparrows. With their help the total number of species was boosted to 73!

The CBC survey results will vary from year to year, depending on many factors, including the weather, number of participants, and area covered. This was the third year for the CBC on Cortes, the first count took place over 20 years ago and the second was in 2001.

A few differences were noted between last year and 2002. With the exception of gulls, lower numbers of waterfowl were observed this year. This was partially the result of not conducting a boat survey, but also that this year there were just fewer numbers of birds between Sutil Point and Marina Island.

The December storms may have moved the waterfowl to quieter parts of the coast. In contrast, shore bird numbers in 2002 were higher. Of the common birds normally spotted this time of year, observers searched in vain for a blue grouse, a red-breasted nuthatch, a pigeon guillemot, and additional members of the owl family.

The day ended with the participants tallying numbers, and enjoying food and refreshments while discussing the day’s success, a grand total of 73 species! It was clear everyone had a lot of fun, and the less experienced participants learned exciting new tricks of bird identification from the “experts”.

Plan to join us next year!

Nancy & Ray Kendel