The 2017 annual Christmas Bird Count shows the highest numbers since 2006, according to the early tally of individuals. More than 83,000 birds were spotted.

B次元官网网址淲e saw 144 species, including two species that have never been seen on a Victoria Christmas Bird Count before B次元官网网址� Great Egret and Chipping Sparrow, both in the Martindale Valley (Central Saanich). Other rarities included Mountain Bluebird, TownsendB次元官网网址檚 Solitaire, Common Redpoll, and CassinB次元官网网址檚 Auklet. We didnB次元官网网址檛 relocate the ClarkB次元官网网址檚 Nutcracker that was seen in Uplands Park a couple of weeks ago,B次元官网网址� said regional organizer Ann Nightingale.

In Oak Bay, Geoffrey Newell led 15 bird enthusiasts for the annual Christmas Bird Count. The group identified 83 species for a total of 8,319 birds.

B次元官网网址淲hat weB次元官网网址檙e trying to do here is learn the trend of bird populations over time, so we can see which species are increasing or declining,B次元官网网址� he said the morning of the event. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also very competitive B次元官网网址� Victoria believe it or not is right at the topB次元官网网址�. most of Canada is frozen in the winter so itB次元官网网址檚 hard to compete with us.B次元官网网址�

In the best participation rate to date, 267 watchers were out in force Saturday, Dec. 16 as another 45 watched their feeders.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking forward to next yearB次元官网网址檚 count on Dec. 15, and invite everyone to join in,B次元官网网址� Nightingale says.

For those interested in learning more about birds she recommends the Victoria Natural History Society, online at naturevictoria.ca.