The following story and photos were submitted by MIBC member Danielle Lacasse. Thanks so much for your contributions to the club Danielle!
As far as holiday traditions go, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is quickly becoming incorporated into my calendar and is one of my favourite events. Braving rain, shine, or even snow, the dedication of counters is always inspiring. Luckily, this year we were blessed with minimal rain and even the odd spot of sun. It felt weird to be removing layers for a change instead of adding them. I look forward to this day not just because it is an excuse to spend all day birding, but because I get to reunite with friends I haven’t seen in a while and make new ones as we share our passion about birds.
Song sparrows like this one were spotted throughout count areas during this year’s Broughton Strait CBC. Danielle Lacasse Photo.
The Port McNeill team started their count off at the Cluxewe Estuary. We had just made it down the trail to the beach when an American dipper was spotted at the mouth of a small creek emerging from the forest. Always a favourite, this aquatic songbird sighting was a great way to start the count. Due to the presence of duck hunters in the estuary, we surveyed a straight line out to the water’s edge and back to the forest. We then worked our way south, with Beaver Cove as our end destination.
American dippers are always a welcome sight during a Christmas Bird Count. Danielle Lacasse Photo
In McNeill Bay, our survey route was again interrupted by duck hunters. This time however, their gunshots were accompanied with decoy mallards that we spent way too much time studying before realizing they were not real!
These greater white-fronted geese were ‘eating out on the harbour front,’ in Port McNeill during this year’s Broughton Strait CBC. Danielle Lacasse Photo
Highlights species of the survey were two Wilson’s snipe found by Peter, and locating resident greater white-fronted geese that have been over wintering at the harbour front. We also observed a greater than average number of killdeer at Alder Bay.
This killdeer convention was spotted by the Port McNeill team during this year’s Broughton Strait CBC. Danielle Lacasse Photo.
In total, the Port McNeill team observed 1763 individuals from 56 different species.
Malcolm Island Bird Club 