The Sooke Christmas Bird Count set records this year in keeping tabs on our feathered friends.
B次元官网网址淒espite a strong wind warning and the possibility of downpours, the day turned out to be beautiful, with calm winds, some sunshine, and 10 degrees,B次元官网网址� said coordinator Robin Byrne.
B次元官网网址淲e did have some impressive numbers this year with a record-setting 1,894 dark-eyed juncos, the highest number since the start of the Sooke Christmas Bird Count in 1983.B次元官网网址�
A flock of 59 eagle-eyed participants turned out for event, which took place on Dec. 27. The total of 19,837 birds was low compared to the 27,000 plus tallied by the 70 people who participated in 2020.
This yearB次元官网网址檚 numbers increased to 1,648 BrandtB次元官网网址檚 cormorants from the the 138 recorded in 2021, and there were 1,037 American robins counted this year compared to 154 last year.
Byrne noted that only 232 AnnaB次元官网网址檚 hummingbirds were tallied this year compared to 311 in 2021, which may have been due to the cold weather.
Although final results are still being tabulated, 108 species have been counted, three less than in 2021.
B次元官网网址淪ome birders were out as early as 6 a.m. to look for owls and found some, with one barred owl and six great horned owls counted,B次元官网网址� Byrne said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 love to have more Sooke residents participating. The more eyes we have, the more birds will be counted.
Byrne said those who donB次元官网网址檛 want to venture outside can still participate by counting birds at their feeders.
The count covers a 24-kilometre circle around Sooke divided into eight zones: Otter Point to the east, WittyB次元官网网址檚 Lagoon to the west, Sooke Potholes to the north, and ocean to the south.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a lot of area to cover,B次元官网网址� Byrne said.
Anyone interested in joining next yearB次元官网网址檚 Christmas count should email sookecbc@rpbo.org.
For more information on other volunteer opportunities and the eventB次元官网网址檚 sponsor, Rocky Point Bird Observatory, visit rpbo.org.
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