The 116th CBC in the Prairie Provinces

The combined Prairie Provinces of Alberta (AB), Manitoba (MB), and Saskatchewan (SK) completed 113 circles during the 116^th Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The battle for highest species total in Manitoba was neck-and-neck with Winnipeg on top at 45 species followed closely by Cypress River-Spruce Woods (44 species) and Brandon (41 species). In Saskatchewan, Regina and Saskatoon tied at 45 species although the capital city found seven additional species during count week. Prior to this season, Saskatoon had held the title for top spot for 13 consecutive years. Calgary was well ahead of the pack in Alberta and enjoyed the second highest ever species count day total (74), the highest ever count week total (79), and the highest ever number of individual birds (72,078).

Mild temperatures and low snow fall in December attributed to an apparent El Niño event, resulted in high observer participation and allowed more birds to linger well into the count period. The milder conditions also affected the extent of open water, which is validated by the numbers and diversity of waterfowl/waterbirds detected.

In Saskatchewan, a single Ross’s and four Greater White-fronted geese were reported at Coronach, while four Snow Geese were picked up in Regina. Three Snow Geese in Calgary, AB were new for the count and they were also reported in Medicine Hat (2) and Lethbridge (1). A record high of 105 Cackling Geese at Estevan, SK was the highest count for the Prairie Provinces. Dabbling ducks were reported widely in small numbers. A remarkable record of a King Eider at Ft. Qu’Appelle, SK was new for the province and a Harlequin Duck in Saskatoon was only the third ever. A Long-tailed Duck at Cold Lake, AB was new for the circle.

Greater Sage-Grouse (13) were counted at Manyberries, AB for the first time since the count began! Although these birds likely represent individuals from the recent reintroduction efforts in the region, the record is encouraging nonetheless. Sharp-tailed Grouse numbers continue to rebound with healthy numbers reported from 12 counts in Alberta. The only circles that reported Willow Ptarmigan were Thompson, MB and Creighton, SK.

Noteworthy numbers of grebes were reported in Alberta with Pied-billed, Horned, and Western all detected on count day and one Eared for count week. One Pacific Loon was at Cold Lake, AB, while a Great Blue Heron was in Calgary. An American White Pelican at Oak Hammock, MB, and one Double-crested Cormorant in Calgary, AB were uncommon. A Sora was at Banff-Canmore, AB, and an impressive total of 27 Killdeer were reported from seven circles across Alberta. Gulls are always a treat on CBCs in the region and one pair of Glaucous Gulls at Gardiner Dam, SK, and a count-week California Gull at Cold Lake, AB were highlights.

An influx of Rough-legged Hawks was noted in the region and Regina, SK tallied 36 birds, which surpassed the previous high of 14 established over a decade previous. The number of wintering Red-tailed Hawks appears also to be on the rise and one Harlan’s type was in Lethbridge, AB. One Gyrfalcon delighted observers at Pinawa, MB as did another at the debut of the Inglis, MB count.

Snowy Owls were counted in respectable numbers for Alberta (76), Saskatchewan (72), and Manitoba (32). Great Gray and Northern Hawk owls were found in modest numbers across the Prairie Provinces. An Eastern Screech-Owl in Winnipeg, MB was the only one reported for the region. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Brule, AB was not surprisingly a new species for the count, and a record 10 Black-backed Woodpeckers were in a recent burn at Love-Torch River, SK.

The most impressive passerine highlights for the region came from Saskatchewan where a Pine Warbler in Saskatoon braved the winter at least into March, and perhaps even more impressively, a Scarlet Tanager in Regina narrowly missed the count week window by just one day! A Brown Thrasher in Calgary, AB was new for that count while a Gray Catbird at Morse was only the third ever for a CBC in Saskatchewan.

Both Spotted and Eastern towhees were reported in Saskatchewan, while Manitoba also had a Spotted Towhee at Minnedosa. At Morse, SK a count week Vesper Sparrow was unusual while a Golden-crowned Sparrow was the second for the province in two consecutive years. The only Harris’s Sparrows reported in Saskatchewan were a pair at Ft. Qu’Appelle. Snow Bunting numbers were unimpressive throughout the region and the only Lapland Longspur reports were from Coronach (1) and Hazlet (12), SK; and Milk River, AB (3).

Yellow-headed Blackbirds (5) were detected at Delta Marsh, MB, for the third consecutive year. Winter Rusty Blackbird reports came from Sheep River (7) and Banff-Canmore (1), AB; Biggar, SK (2); and Glenboro-Spruce Woods, MB (count week; 1). A count week Baltimore Oriole at Athabasca, AB was exceptional. Many of the winter finches were reported in high numbers compared to the past couple seasons. As an example, Common Redpolls were reported on every count except for two circles in Alberta, and one circle in Saskatchewan. High numbers of Hoary Redpolls were reported from Fort McMurray (76) and Slave Lake (44), AB; and Saltcoats, SK (40). Canada’s first CBC record of a Eurasian Tree Sparrow in Winnipeg, MB that was initially discovered last year, continued for the second season.