The 123rd Christmas Bird Count in Canada

The 123rd Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was another successful year in Canada, and it is all thanks to thousands of birders and nature lovers choosing to spend a day outside, or from home, counting our feathered friends. Without the contributions of these volunteer scientists, the compilers, the organizers, and the regional editors, the CBC wouldn't be possible. Thank you for your commitment to birds, conservation, and the environment. 

A total of 476 CBC circles in Canada submitted results for the 123rd season, an increase of three compared to last year. Three new circles and one previously dormant circle were registered in 2022-23: BowKan and Lake Louise, AB; Port Blandford, NL; Goderich, ON; and Argentueuil, QC. A total of 10,463 field counters and 3816 feeder counters participated in 476 counts across all provinces and territories. The most Counts took place in Ontario (123), followed by British Columbia (92), and Alberta (56).  Ontario also had the highest number of total participants (4626), followed by British Columbia (3464), and Alberta (1670).

A total of 3,205,861 individual birds of 279 species were reported in Canada during the 2022-23 season (Table 1). British Columbia had the highest species diversity (218), followed by Ontario (183), Nova Scotia (168), New Brunswick (142), and Québec (129).  The top five counts for these regions were Victoria, BC (137), Blenheim, ON (113), Halifax-Dartmouth, NS (115), Saint John, NB (69), and Québec, QC (77).

The weather during the very start of winter in late November and early December, can dictate how a CBC season plays out, in terms of both species abundance and diversity. This is especially true in the colder parts of the country, where it could affect the presence or absence of open water. The lead up to the 123rd was shaping up to be typical if not on the warmer side but that would change as the winter progressed. A relatively early cold snap in December caught up to the Atlantic region, although as the season went on, some counts reported milder than average temperatures. Moving west, both Québec and Ontario enjoyed a mild start to winter that was abruptly, and in some parts devastatingly, interrupted by a strong storm around Christmas Day. The prairie provinces reported typical or slightly colder than usual conditions, with some counts suffering participation as a result. A blast of sudden winter came to many counts along coastal BC as well, where counters experienced colder and snowier than usual conditions. The Lower Mainland of BC is not known for heavy snowfall, so many counters wisely opted to count birds from home.

Species Highlights by Region

The top 10 most abundant species in terms of individuals reported on Canadian counts during the 123rd CBC season, listed from highest to lowest, were: American Crow, Canada Goose, Mallard, Dark-eyed Junco, American Wigeon, Bohemian Waxwing, House Sparrow, Dunlin, Snow Goose, and Rock Pigeon. No new species were added to the all-time Canadian list during the 123rd CBC, which remains at 439 species. A summary of counts in Canada is presented in Table 1. 

A Pink-footed Goose in St. John’s, NL appeared for a sixth consecutive year to kick off regional highlights. A Bar-tailed Godwit, discovered a day before the Halifax-Darmouth Count, was a welcomed addition. Shorebirds in general made a good showing in the Atlantic with reports of Long-billed Dowitchers, Red Knots, and Lesser Yellowlegs among others. Reports of Turkey Vultures and Red-bellied Woodpeckers continue to rise in the region, an example perhaps of a northward expansions. Amongst the many rare passerines reported, Green-tailed Towhee and Hermit Warbler, both species regularly found much further west, are standouts. 

Québec reported bumper year for irruptive species, noting high counts for Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, and even Snow Bunting. Not all finches were in abundance however, and Common Redpolls were reported to be down. One Thick-billed Murre at Percé, Northern Fulmars in both Otterburn Park and Chicoutimi-Jonquière, and a wayward Townsend’s Solitaire were among the several highlights in Québec. Despite the tricky weather, a number of noteworthy records from Ontario included one Western Sandpiper and one Spotted Sandpiper at Blenheim, a Great Cormorant during Count Week, an Indigo Bunting at Nipigon-Red Rock, a Northern Waterthrush at Cedar Creek, and one Yellow-throated Warbler in Delta among others. 

At least two Brown Thrashers braved the Manitoba winter with one at Cypress River and one in Winnipeg. An immature Trumpeter Swan that overwintered at Oak Hammock Marsh was a first for Manitoba and one Red-headed Woodpecker at Carman was an unexpected find. Saskatchewan also added a new species to the provincial CBC list with a California Gull at Regina during Count Week. Gray Partridges continue to increase in Saskatchewan, with a new high count reported from Morse. An out-of-range White-winged Dove was a treat for birders in Calgary, and while not out-of-range, an Osprey in Medicine Hat was noteworthy. In general, both owls and finches were reported in low numbers in the prairie provinces. 

Some mentionable shorebirds from the British Columbia coast included one American Avocet at Ladner, one Ruddy Turnstone at Deep Bay, and two Short-billed Dowitchers at Victoria. A Ross’s Gull was reported from Skidegate Inlet, a Black Phoebe was at Chilliwack, and two Clay-colored Sparrows were in Victoria.  Pender Islands again reported at least one Rufous Hummingbird, continuing a seemingly new trend for the Gulf Islands. 

Despite species diversity for all of Canada in total during the 123rd  increasing, the majority of regions reported fewer or no change in species diversity compared to the previous season, with the exception of New Brunswick and Yukon Territory. British Columbia had the highest species diversity, reporting 218 species, followed by Ontario (183), Nova Scotia (168), New Brunswick (142), and Québec (129). Detailed regional summaries for the 123rd CBC will be available on the Audubon website. Historical or current year results by count or species can be found on the Audubon website now.

Click here to view the 123rd Christmas Bird Count: Canada High Counts article.

Table 1. 123^rd Christmas Bird Count in Canada Summary

1.     Includes species detected during Count Week

2.     Count Day totals do not include Count Week additions