The 32nd Sunshine Coast Christmas Bird Count for Gibsons/Sechelt was conducted on Dec. 18 while the 20th Pender Harbour/Egmont count was held on Dec. 22.
The weather can affect these counts in various ways with wind and rain a serious impediment to bird activity. The weather for the Gibsons/Sechelt count was gloomy with variable shower activity and quite windy by the Strait. In Pender Harbour, a storm passed overnight and the day was sunny and windy. About 30 participants were split into eight parties in Sechelt/Gibsons and 20 observers in six parties in Pender Harbour including two boat groups.
Gibsons/Sechelt recorded 91 species, which is about average, though down from the record 105 species of last year. The highlight was a bird never previously recorded on the Sunshine Coast and is a very rare bird in B.C., a Kittlitz's murrelet. The bird is similar to our local marbled murrelet with more white on the head and face. It was seen offshore at Bonniebrook in Gibsons.
It was a good day for raptors with nine different species observed, including all three of the locally occurring falcons and all three accipiters, including goshawk. The Sechelt party observed a peregrine falcon atop the "eagle tree" in West Sechelt snacking on a bird thought to be a varied thrush. The rare in winter northern harrier, which has been present in West Sechelt for about a month, was also a good record. Among the passerine birds, Townsend's solitaire in Sechelt and Townsend's warbler in Wilson Creek were notable finds.
The Pender Harbour count recorded 76 species, a little below the average. Highlight birds were a gadwall, which is a scarce winter duck in our area, two yellow-billed loons, northern pygmy owl, marsh wren and hermit thrush. The mouth of Agamemnon Channel and the southern tip of Nelson Island produced a flock of 150 long-tailed ducks and about 70 ancient murrelets.
The Sunshine Coast is a great area to watch birds in winter as many species are attracted to our mild maritime climate. The data accumulated allows us to track the long-term fortunes of the various species.
To report your sightings or questions contact Tony at 604-885-5539 or tony@whiskeyjacknaturetours.com.
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