Breaking records or finding the unusual arenB次元官网网址檛 new endeavours for Greater  Victoria birders B次元官网网址� and the annual Christmas Bird Count frequently hits both lofty goals.

Last winter the region boasted the highest number of counters in the field of the more than 2,500 worldwide Christmas Bird Counts, according to co-coordinator Ann Nightingale.

B次元官网网址淲e had 351 counters out in the neighbourhoods, parks and fields of Victoria in 2023. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a new record for us and the highest for field counts last year. We were second overall in participation, though, because Edmonton has a massive FeederWatch contingent,B次元官网网址� Nightingale said. B次元官网网址淭his yearB次元官网网址檚 Victoria count is on Dec. 14 and weB次元官网网址檙e hoping to gain some ground for the overall title.B次元官网网址�

The Rocky Point Bird Observatory hosts the Christmas Bird Count for Kids at Beckwith Park in Saanich, on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. The family-friendly bird counting event complements the larger regional count, with the goal of engaging the next generation and results will be included in the official Victoria Christmas Bird Count.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no doubt Victoria has a lot of birds to keep everyone interested, but I think the camaraderie and social aspect of the count is also a big part of the draw.B次元官网网址� New birders are teamed up with more experienced counters to go out in small groups and spend a few hours getting to know each other as well as finding and counting the birds,B次元官网网址� said co-coordinator, Jennifer Armstrong. B次元官网网址淭his often leads to people from a team birding together throughout the year.B次元官网网址�

The Christmas Bird Count in Greater Victoria includes the main midnight-to-midnight count, a free kids event in the afternoon and the backyard FeederWatch. Participants can count for part or all of the day, with some teams seeking out owls as well as waterfowl, songbirds and hummingbirds.

Beyond the overall tallies or the joy of spotting elusive winter rarities, the count is a commitment to conservation.  The Christmas Bird Count is vital in monitoring the status of resident and migratory birds across the Western Hemisphere, and the volunteer-generated data is a crucial part of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 biodiversity monitoring database.

B次元官网网址淭his much-anticipated free event fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility for protecting birds and their habitats,B次元官网网址� Armstrong said.

Novice birdwatchers are welcome and encouraged. Skilled birders are on hand to provide identification, and to share their knowledge and tips.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the great things about birding in general, and the Christmas Bird Count in particular, is that it is accessible,B次元官网网址� Nightingale said. B次元官网网址淚f people want to share their sightings at a backyard feeder, participate for only a couple of hours, or restrict their participation to wheelchair-accessible locations, we have a spot for them. Everyone is welcome.B次元官网网址�

Visit  or contact  for information on all the south Island Christmas Bird Counts.

The Sidney/South Salt Spring area, which includes Central Saanich and North Saanich, does its count Sunday, Dec. 15. Participants can email Daniel Donnecke at . Counters will meet at Panorama Rec Centre entrance at 8 a.m. for assignments unless otherwise arranged.

Sooke counts on Dec. 27, organized by Robyn Byrne at .