Twenty-eight volunteers, participants, and observers, including three kids, helped count the birds of Cortes and environs.

A total of 61 species and 2153 individuals were recorded.

Over the last 24 years, Cortes Island Museum has been sponsoring the count, and the range of species numbers has been from a low of 57 to a high of 75, so 61 is in the ballpark.

Individual numbers have ranged from last year's record of 4557 to this year's low of 2153. This is reflected in lower seabird numbers (which are hard to census on any given day) and in cyclic fluctuations in the number of finches. For example, Pine Siskin numbers changed from 226 last year to zero this year.

Overall, the Museum wants to thank everyone who submitted backyard feeder counts and all the observers who trudged through the cool weather to continue our tradition.

Data such as CBC results help monitor the health of our bird population and are forwarded to the Audubon Society (https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count) and Birds Canada (https://www.birdscanada.org/).

To hear a detailed synopsis of the count, please listen to “Nature Boy” on CKTZ, where George Sirk will be interviewed by Roy Hales of Cortes Currents on Wednesday, January 28, at 9:30 a.m. The interview will be repeated on Sunday, February 1, at 1:00 p.m.

The Cortes Island Museum and all participants have contributed to the success of this event, which has been held annually for over 20 years – we truly appreciate your support.

(summary of the results by George Sirk)

A heartfelt thank you from the Cortes Museum and all participants to George Sirk, whose energy truly made this event possible. We’re so grateful for his incredible support!