The Sixth Annual Cortes Island Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held December 17th, 2005, and was again co-sponsored by the Cortes Island Museum and Bird Studies Canada. Due to the timing of the holidays, this year’s count date was approximately two weeks earlier than in previous years. The goal of the CBC is to count the number of individual birds observed of each species within a specified area during a 24 hour period. The weather this year cooperated with a partially cloudy and calm day, with temperatures hovering slightly above freezing. The fog which covered Cortes for much of December was luckily absent. During the count the 17 participants were divided into 4 groups. Previous birding experience was not a pre-requisite as each group had a number of seasoned birders willing to share their knowledge. In addition to the 4 groups, 12 people volunteered to independently make observations of their backyards and feeders.

The group surveying the south end of the island was excited to report observing an unusually large flock of 25 Black Oystercatchers on the beach near Hollyhock. They were also fortunate to count 31 Marbled Murrelets, a species not always easily seen from shore. Four Rock Sandpipers, a species of shorebird which is a rare winter visitor to Cortes were also spotted feeding along the water’s edge. A Savannah Sparrow, a bird that generally winters further south, was another great sighting for this time of year.

The exciting highlight for the folks surveying Kwas Park, Cortes Bay, Squirrel Cove, Linnaea and Blue Jay Lake farms was the sighting of a Northern Shrike, a rare winter visitor to Cortes and the first time spotted during the CBC. Though generally considered the first sign of spring, a large flock of 80 American Robins were observed, apparently taking advantage of the warm winter. Luckily the monotonous toots of the tiny Northern Pigmy Owl were heard near Cortes Bay the morning of the CBC. Their call is more common in the spring.

A flock of wigeon , spotted in Whaletown Lagoon, had another group stumped temporarily, until they identified with spotting scopes 3 Eurasian Wigeon mixed in with the more common American Wigeon. Near the Whaletown Store a large flock of 32 Black Turnstones, with 3 Surfbirds mixed in were observed feeding on the rocks. The distinctive “ti-dick, ti-dick, ti-dick” identifying call of a Virginia Rail was heard near Gunflint Lake just before dusk. Also spotted there were 6 Red-winged Blackbirds, enjoying a feeder feast.

A boat tour of Gorge Harbour and Marina Spit provided one group’s participants with a sighting of 3 Pelagic Cormorants. They also spotted a large flock of 135 White-winged Scoters in the vicinity of the spit. This group then turned inland to survey a swamp area near Anvil Lake. Though the ice had reduced the swamp considerably, the 120 Mallards over wintering there had kept open a small pocket of water where a pair of Wood Ducks and a Coot were observed. Both these species are very rare sightings for this time of year!

The CBC Backyard Observers also made important contributions to the species total, particularly in the number of birds of prey observed. They reported 1 Merlin and 2 Cooper’s Hawks, as well as 5 Barred Owls, and a Great Horned Owl. In addition, an Anna’s Hummingbird was spotted near Kwas Bay. Near Whaletown a flock of 30 Pacific Loons was reported passing through on the day of the count. Another rare sighting for this time of year was a Golden Crowned Sparrow, more usually seen in spring when garden peas are newly sprouted.

At the end of the day the happy birders met back at the Museum where they were treated to a special display of a few Island birds from the collection of local taxidermist Laurel Bohart. Over a hot mulled cider and snacks the final tally for the day was completed. The grand total after including the backyard observations was 76 species!! A new record for the Cortes Island CBC!

Sadly missed on count day, but observed in the days before or after were the following: a rare Snowy Owl frequenting the south end, Trumpeter Swans observed flying over Manson’s Landing area, a Long-tailed Duck at Smelt Bay, a backyard Blue Grouse, and a Bewick’s Wren and a Brown-headed Cowbird near the gravel pit.

The specific CBC count information is available at www.cortesisland.com and is also registered along with all count results from 1900 to the present on the Audubon's website: www.audubon.org/bird/cbc.

If you’d like to participate in the next birding event, watch the Flyers or the Cortes Island web page for information on Museum’s Spring Migration Birding Event planned for April!