Cortes Island's Christmas Bird Count was held on December 28, 2024. It was the 125th CBC organized and recorded by the Audubon Society.

– by George Sirk

Seventy-four species were recorded – 4550 individuals – observed by 40 participants – a testament to the keen interest in counting our birds on this annual census. Organized by the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society, this 24th annual Cortes count is a quantitative record of our fine feathered friends. The data goes to Birds Canada and the Audubon Society database to join the multitude of counts across Canada (and the world!).

The weather was quite favourable considering the very stormy fall. It was cool, with light rain in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon. Winds were light.

This year, we had a group of observers go out in a boat and circumnavigate Marina Island (new this year). This party were the only ones to spot Brant (3), Long-tailed Duck (11), Black Scoter (8), Turkey Vulture (1), Herring Gull (1) and American Coot (3). They also added to the tally 27 Common Loons, 4 Western Grebes, 500 Surf Scoters, 300 Harlequin Ducks, 14 Black Turnstones and an impressive 98 Black Oystercatchers. The large number of birds recorded there is a testament to how important Marina Island is to the overwintering population of birds. We don't get out there very often due to weather conditions and not having volunteers willing to brave the chill of boating in winter! I want to thank Michael and Sierra Sullivan, father and daughter, for taking on this zone. The large numbers of certain aquatic species/individuals in our total count are reflected by their data. I believe these species are out there every winter, and it's great to have them included in the count. Our waters are very rich in “seabirds” that overwinter here.

Cortes was divided up into several zones: Carrington Bay (special thanks to the school children and young adult graduates led by Liam Preston), Whaletown/Gorge, Squirrel Cove/Blue Jay Lake, Cortes Bay, Manson's and the lakes, Linnaea and Smelt Bay/Sutil Point and so forth. Records also came in from around 20 individuals who spotted birds at their feeders and environs. These records are much appreciated as they give us a glimpse of what is around on private properties.

Overall highlights: (H – high #, L – low #, N – normal #, as compared to the previous 23 years)

87 Common Loon H
141 Horned Grebe H
5 Western Grebe H
11 Great Blue Heron N
56 Double-crested Cormorant H
6 Canada Goose L
419 Harlequin Duck H
1057 Surf Scoter N
73 Common Goldeneye H
97 Barrow's Goldeneye H
49 Bald Eagle H
1 Turkey Vulture – the first one ever observed in winter on Cortes!
3 American Coot H
125! Black Oystercatcher H
3 Greater Yellowlegs H (rare bird)
4 Barred Owl N
51 Northern Flicker H
154 NW Crow H
43 Pacific Wren N
0 Robin (!)
8 Varied Thrush L
2 Fox Sparrow L
55 Red Crossbill
226 Pine Siskin (crossbill and siskin populations fluctuate greatly – no siskins were recorded in the last 2 years, and only six crossbills in the last 3)

The final detailed (be areas) tally for this year and the all-year tally are attached below. Any changes will be reflected on the museum website bird count page and George Sirk’s CBC blog.

Thanks again to all the volunteers who took the time to provide the museum with their observations.

I want to especially thank Gina at the museum for her diligence and devotion to coordinating the count.

– Text George Sirk
– Pictures Gary Fast

You can find more on the 2024 Christmas Bird Count from Roy Hales in conversation with Laurel Bohart and Donna Collins here:
Cortes Currents article
SoundCloud podcast