The 122nd CBC in Canada

A total of 473 Christmas Bird Count (CBC) circles in Canada submitted results for the 122^nd count, an increase of 13 compared to last year. Twelve new circles were registered in 2021-22: Jaffray-Wardner (BC); East Braintree (MB), Bathurst, Cambridge-Narrows, Lepreau, Restigouche, St. Martins (NB); Parrsboro (NS); Flamborough, Kemptville (ON); and Watrous-Manitou Beach, Rosetown (SK).

A total of 10,618 field counters and 4357 feeder counters reported 3,460,743 individual birds of 294 species in Canada (Table 1). Edmonton, AB, had the highest number of total participants on count day (497), followed by Calgary, AB (313), and Victoria, BC (285). The top five counts reporting highest species diversity were Victoria, BC (136), Ladner, BC (130), Blenheim, ON (124), Vancouver, BC (124), and Sidney-South Saltspring (121).

Weather leading up to and during the CBC across most of Canada was typical in general. Fall in the Atlantic region was characterized by winds conducive to blowing in migrants from further south and west, followed by snow and colder weather in early December. Québec enjoyed a very mild start to winter, with many counts reporting favorable conditions on Count Day. Ontario experienced a similarly mild Count Period, but a cold spell in late November caused some waterbodies to freeze over and may have pushed some waterfowl elsewhere. In Manitoba, a seemingly moderate start to winter took a turn after Boxing Day, when heavy snowfall and cold temperatures set in. Saskatchewan and Alberta reported a cold Count Period, with punishing wind-chill, and deep snow on some counts, likely contributing to lower numbers and diversity. In November of 2021, southwestern British Columbia experienced unprecedented levels of rainfall followed by flooding and landslides, which may have reduced access to some areas during the CBC. Heavy rains on Count Day for some of the coastal counts in British Columbia contributed to lower totals than usual. The coldest Circle for the 122^nd was Watson Lake, YT, where it was -45 degrees Celsius for the duration of the count.

Species Highlights by Region

All provincial and territorial counts are summarized in Table 1.

The top 10 most abundant species in terms of individuals reported on Canadian counts during the 122^nd CBC season, listed from highest to lowest, were: Canada Goose, European Starling, American Crow, Mallard, Black-capped Chickadee, House Sparrow, Rock Pigeon (Feral), Snow Goose, Bohemian Waxwing, and Herring Gull. Common Raven remains the most widespread species, detected on more counts (463) than any other species. No new species were added to the all-time Canadian list during the 122^nd CBC, which remains at 439 species.

A long-staying Pink-footed Goose at St. John’s, NL, made a showing for the fifth straight year. Shorebird highlights from Nova Scotia included a lingering Semipalmated Plover at Cape Sable Island and a Lesser Yellowlegs at Broad Cove. The Atlantic region reported a nice assortment of warblers including Ovenbird, Northern Parula, and Yellow-throated Warbler. Other standout records were a Sabine’s Gull at Cape Sable Island, a Townsend’s Solitaire at Restigouche, NB, and a Summer Tanager at Pictou Harbour, NS. Finches were reported in more expected numbers following the irruption of previous season.

Mentionable records from Québec include a Great Shearwater from Forillon, a Swainson’s Thrush at Québec, and a Lark Sparrow at Percé. Evening Grosbeaks at Chicoutimi-Jonquiere, QC was the highest recorded on a count in North America. A Common Teal (Eurasian Green-winged Teal) was new for Ontario, while Razorbill at Niagara Falls, Nelsons’s Sparrow at Blenheim, and a Rufous Hummingbird at Peel-Halton Counties topped the list of rarities. Five Red-bellied Woodpeckers in Winnipeg, MB, and a Chipping Sparrow at Pinawa, MB were also worth noting.

Saskatchewan reported an influx of Common Redpolls, on the heels of last year’s eastern irruption. Close to half of all the Hoary Redpolls reported in Saskatchewan were at Eastend. Gray Partridges at Regina represented a North American high count. A single American White Pelican braved the winter in High River, AB.

British Columbia hosted not one, but two Bramblings this season: one at Narcosli and one at Revelstoke, BC. Other goodies in BC included the long-staying Red-shouldered Hawk at Harrison River, a Short-billed Dowitcher and a Tennessee Warbler in Victoria, a Wilson’s Warbler at Ladysmith, and a Northern Waterthrush at Ladner.

While the species diversity for all of Canada in total during the 122^nd increased, most provinces reported fewer or no change in species diversity compared to the previous season, with the exception of Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. British Columbia had the highest diversity, reporting 223 species, followed by Ontario (183), Nova Scotia (177), Québec (141), and New Brunswick (139). Detailed regional summaries for the 122^nd 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 122^nd Christmas Bird Count: Canada High Counts article.

A special thanks goes out to compilers, who spend hours recruiting and organizing participants on the ground and rounding up and entering data. Thank you also to the regional editors who carefully ensure all CBC data are reviewed and write regional summaries every year.