114th CBC Prairie Provinces Regional Summary

By Yousif Attia

Contributors: Rob Parsons (Manitoba) and Guy Wapple (Saskatchewan)

A total of 108 counts were held in the Prairie Provinces this season – 23 in Manitoba, 35 in Saskatchewan, and 50 in Alberta. Brandon claimed the highest species count day total in Manitoba for the first time at 39, surpassing Winnipeg by two species. Saskatoon led the way in Saskatchewan with 40 species on count day while Gardiner Dam was a close second at 38 species. Calgary tallied the highest diversity for Alberta at 63 species followed distantly by below average counts at Medicine Hat (48 species) and Edmonton (46 species). 

Winter descended onto the prairies with record snowfalls in many parts and frigid temperatures arriving early and sustained into January. Manitoba counters suffered temperatures below -30°C at seven counts with the lowest being -41°C at Thompson, MB.  Saskatchewan was in no less of a deepfreeze with both Nisbet Forest and Creighton recording a low of -41°C.  The warmest temperature in the region was at Sheep River, AB which hit a balmy +10°C undoubtedly attributed to a chinook wind.

Early freeze up on the prairies reduced the waterfowl numbers compared to typical years. Lethbridge, AB recorded the highest number of Canada Geese for the first time with 12,455, a claim only made by Calgary in previous years.  Calgary only recorded 3260 Canada Geese, less than a third the 10-year running average. Only the fourth ever reported Barrow’s Goldeneye was at Fort Qu’Appelle, SK.  Other highlights for Saskatchewan include Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, Canvasback, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck and American Coot. A single Western Grebe at Wabamun Lake, AB was unexpected. Remarkably, at least one American White Pelican graced Gardiner Dam, SK for the fourth consecutive year!

Both Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks have been steadily increasing in urban centers on the prairies over the past few years. A record high of seven Cooper’s Hawks were reported in Calgary, AB while Saskatchewan reported an increase in Northern Goshawks with eight individuals on seven counts. Although certainly present, Snowy Owl numbers on the prairies were not as dramatic as the irruption felt further east.  Northern Hawk Owls and Great Gray Owls were seen in more-or-less normal, non-irruption numbers, with the high count for Northern Hawk Owl at Opal, AB (7) and Great Gray Owl at Cochrane Wildlife Reserve (6).

The undisputed highlight for Saskatchewan this season was the first ever Great Black-backed Gull recorded on a Canadian prairie CBC.  The first cycle bird was at Gardiner Dam, SK along with single Herring Gull, the only other gull reported on the prairies. 

Eurasian Collared-Doves continue to pioneer the west with 650 reported from 13 counts in Alberta.  Saskatchewan contributed 339 individuals from 15 count circles, including one new location.  A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker braved the cold winter at Biggar, SK while three Red-bellied Woodpeckers in Manitoba were noteworthy finds. The near absence of Black-backed Woodpeckers was particularly unusual for Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

At least one Northern Cardinal was reported from all three provinces as per usual. Singles of Fox, Harris’s and White-crowned sparrows were reported in Manitoba.  An overwintering Brewer’s Blackbird at Pike Lake, SK was notable as were four Yellow-headed Blackbirds at Crowsnest Pass, AB.

A stray Cassin’s Finch observed in Saskatoon provided some excitement in an otherwise finch-less winter.  Common Redpolls were down across the prairies provinces and only three counts recorded Hoary Redpoll; the highest being 21 individuals at Fort McMurray.  Wintering American Goldfinches on the prairies are on the rise with Saskatchewan reporting 100 individuals and Manitoba boasted 462 individuals on 11 counts. Evening Grosbeak numbers were not reflective of the finch trend with impressive totals from Athabasca, AB (561), Love, SK (294) and The Pas, MB (279).