The 117th CBC in Quebec

Again this 117^th year, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was successful in Quebec, although there were six fewer species found than 2015-2016, and 15 less species than 2014-2015. A total of 133 species, a hybrid (American Black Duck x Mallard), and two species of domestic origin (Northern Bobwhite and Ring-necked Pheasant) were observed on census day or during the week of this one, including 44 aquatic species (33% of all species), 20 raptors (diurnal and nocturnal; 15%) and 69 terrestrial birds (grouse, woodpeckers, perching birds; 52 %).

Forty counts were conducted in Quebec. Four censuses were not conducted or did not provide data this year. Counts were held from December 14^th to January 4^th. The most popular day was December 17^th with 18 counts, followed by December 18^th with six counts. The rather normal temperature for the season resulted in large ice-covered bodies of water and average quantities of snow on the ground, which therefore did not retain certain lingering species as in last year. An impressive total of 1117 people participated in the census (925 in the field and 192 at feeders). The CBC of Quebec scored the highest number of observers (144), followed by Montreal (74), and Lennoxville (71).

The number of birds observed in Québec census totaled an impressive 378,792 individuals. Baie-Missisquoi ranked first with 152,756 birds, mainly due to the presence of Snow Goose (127,022), followed distantly by Saint-sur-Richelieu with 66,818 birds (59,600 Americain Crow), and Granby with 17,868 birds (largely from the presence of 14,791 American Crow). The CBC of Otterburn Park had the largest number of species (68), closely followed by Montreal (67), and Québec (66).

Two species were reported in all census areas: Common Raven and Black-capped Chickadee. Blue Jay and European Starling was noted in 39 censuses, and three species were observed in 38 of 40 CBC: Hairy Woodpecker, Rock Pigeon, and American Crow. Finally, Downy Woodpecker was found in 37 CBCs. The species with over 10,000 counted individuals were: Snow Goose (127,108), American Crow (84,820), European Starling (19,675), Black-capped Chickadee (16,257), Canada Goose (15,803), Snow Bunting (12,484), and Mallard (10,036). Finally, let’s mention the large number of Common Merganser (8050) and 6326 Dark-eyed Juncos present in 36 CBCs, which is rather unusual for the latter species.

Among the threatened species, there were five Harlequin Ducks (Forillon, Longueuil, and Percé) and 276 Barrow's Goldeneye (in 7 CBCs). The Bald Eagle totaled 76 birds spread over 20 CBCs. Golden Eagle (one individual) was seen at Duhamel and two individuals were observed during the count week at Quyon-Shawville and Laval-Ahuntsic. The Peregrine Falcon (15) was reported in 11 counts. Two Short-eared Owl (Baie-Missisquoi and Sorel-Tracy) and three Rusty Blackbird (Georgeville, Québec, and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) were also observed.

In terms of rare species (in general or for the season), the following species were observed on the count day in one or two counts in Quebec this year: Red-throated Loon (Percé), Pied-billed Grebe (Otterburn Park and St-Timothee), Blue-winged Teal (Sorel-Tracy), Great Cormorant (Percé), Dovekie (Iles-de-la-Madeleine), Razorbill (Percé), Black-headed Gull (Iles-de-la-Madeleine), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Montréal), Red-shouldered Hawk (Québec and Longueuil), Eurasian Collared-Dove (Contrecoeur), Long-eared Owl (Otterburn Park), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Laval-Ahuntsic), Winter Wren (Montréal), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Montréal), Pine Warbler (Lennoxville), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Otterburn Park), Field Sparrow (Hemmingford), Vesper Sparrow (Otterburn Park), Savannah Sparrow (Otterburn Park), and Fox Sparrow (Lac Brome, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and St-Timothee).