North American Winter Birding Season 2008-09 - Update #2
25 January 2009
Here is the mid-season update for the 2008/09
Winter Birding Season. After the moderate
temperatures at the start of the season in Canada
winter clamped down rather harshly from coast to
coast to coast, and early hopes for
record-breaking totals quickly gave way to the
mid-winter resignation that can only be cured by
a week-long escape to warmer climes.
But there have been rarities to reward
indomitable birders, and the rarest bird so far
recorded remains the Black-tailed Gull in British
Columbia, the first Canadian winter record. But
all provinces have enjoyed the unexpected, and I
invite you to read below, and encourage you to
also visit their respective web pages.
I present below the various totals and
highlighted species for all ten provinces for the
2008-2009 winter season, as well as the French
islands of Saint-Pierre et Michelon, and the
country of Iceland. Links to all the winter
birding pages are, of course, provided.
PROVINCES FROM EAST TO WEST:
Newfoundland: http://tinyurl.com/2jqo5p (updated 11 Jan)
134 species. Highlights: Blue-winged Teal (2nd
winter record); Northern Lapwing; Greater
Yellowlegs (1st winter record); Franklins Gull;
2 Slaty-backed Gulls; 2 Yellow-legged Gulls;
Red-bellied Woodpecker (5th provincial record); Ovenbird.
Newfoundland can always count on wild winter
weather, but despite this provincial birders have
found a remarkable array of birds, including 14
gull species. A major influx of Ivory Gulls in
mid-January continues the excitement already
generated by an impressive list of
rarities. This winters total already surpasses that of last year.
Nova Scotia: http://tinyurl.com/nswinter (updated 25 Jan)
203 species. (average = 195). Highlights: Manx
Shearwater (1st winter record); Tundra Swan (2nd
winter record); Green Heron (1st winter record);
Osprey (1st winter record); Sora (1st winter
record); Semipalmated Plover (3rd winter record);
hummingbird sp. (2nd winter record): 2 Western
Kingbirds; Hermit Warbler (4th provincial record,
2nd in winter); 2 Grasshopper Sparrows, LeContes
Sparrow (7th provincial record, 2nd in winter); Brewers Blackbird.
Despite the province receiving an average of two
major storms a week this winter, offering a
roller-coaster of alternating rain and snow,
liberally mixed with ice pellets and freezing
rain, and always accompanied by gale-to-hurricane
force winds, most Nova Scotia Christmas Bird
Counts enjoyed reasonable weather. Accordingly
many species were added to the winter list,
helping propel the total above the long-term
average, and into the 200+ territory for just the
third time. The stormy weather was followed in
mid-January by a severe cold snap.
Several teams attempted to each reach 100 species
during the winter within Halifax Regional
Municipality, and the first team managed to do so
by Dec. 19. Their progress can be monitored
here: http://tinyurl.com/winterhrm
Prince Edward Island: http://tinyurl.com/peiwinter (updated 19 Jan)
95 species (average = 118). Highlights:
Sandhill Crane (1st winter record); Ivory Gull
(1st winter record); Varied Thrush (2nd
provincial record); House Finch (1st winter record).
The harsh winter weather has made driving rather
treacherous, and consequently the reduced
observer effort has kept the provincial species
total well below average, unlike in the
neighbouring Maritime provinces, where totals
have reached long-term averages. Even with half
the winter left to find the missing species, it
is unlikely that PEI will come close to an average total.
New Brunswick: http://tinyurl.com/nbwinter (updated 14 Jan)
161 species (average = 162). Highlights: Black
Vulture; Spotted Sandpiper (2nd winter record);
Eurasian Collared-Dove (2nd provincial record,
1st in winter); Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1st winter
record); Says Phoebe; Marsh Wren (1st winter
record); Painted Bunting (1st winter record).
New Brunswick has done well to reach its
long-term average despite a stormy winter, and
this was achieved with the discovery of many fine
rarities. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo was more
surprising but the Painted Bunting was more
popular. The Eurasian Collared-Dove continues
to delight observers, as it has been present for many weeks.
Quebec: http://tinyurl.com/qcwinter (updated 7 Jan)
163 species (average = 166, not including
exotics). Highlights: Tundra Swan (1st winter
record); Rosss Goose (2nd winter record); Great
Egret (1st winter record);Rosss Gull; Laughing
Gull; Eastern Phoebe; Red-headed Woodpecker (2nd
winter record); Marsh Wren; American Pipit;
Black-and-white Warbler (1st winter record);
Wilsons Warbler (2nd winter record); Dickcissel (2nd winter record).
Quebec birders slogged through some messy weather
(and a messy provincial election) to find a nice
variety of rarities, bringing the winters total
within reach of the long-term average.
Ontario: http://tinyurl.com/onwinter (updated 24 Jan)
194 species. Highlights: American Avocet;
Pomarine Jaeger; Blue-headed Vireo; Northern
Parula; Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Blue
Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler (< 10
provincial records); Spotted Towhee (< 10 provincial records).
Notwithstanding the challenging weather Ontario
birders have managed to find 12 species of
warbler (plus an Audubons Warbler if you keep
track of future splits). The deep freeze that
descended in January will make it difficult to
increase the total by much more, though theyll
likely surpass last years cold winter total.
Manitoba: http://tinyurl.com/mbwinter (updated 24 Jan.)
99 species (average =
101). Highlights: American Wigeon (1st winter
record); American Black Duck (1st winter record);
Harlequin Duck; Pied-billed Grebe (1st winter
record); Double-crested Cormorant, Black-headed
Grosbeak (< 10 provincial records).
Manitoba birders were able to locate 15 species
of waterfowl before the deep freeze descended,
which helped them approach their long-term
average, despite the lengthy cold period in
December and January. But there were few other
rarities, which kept the totals from rising higher than average.
Saskatchewan: http://tinyurl.com/skwinter (updated 09 Jan.)
98 species (average = 111)
- Highlights: White-winged Scoter (1st winter
record); Long-tailed Duck; Eared Grebe (1st
winter record); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,
Northern Mockingbird (1st winter record).
Twenty species of waterfowl gave Saskatchewan
birders a great start on the winter list, but the
deep freeze in late December through January shut
off the bird taps, and as of this writing the
provincial total is well below its average, with
little prospect of getting close, though it would
be nice if they could reach the round number of
100. Some winter annual sparrows and icterids
are still missing, so there is hope.
Alberta: http://tinyurl.com/abwinter (updated 24 Jan.)
136 species (average = 141). Highlights: Surf
Scoter; American White Pelican; Sora (1st winter
record); Eastern Towhee (3rd provincial records,
2nd in winter); Chipping Sparrow (2nd winter
record); Golden-crowned Sparrow (1st winter record).
As with the other prairie provinces Alberta
birders were able to locate a good variety of
waterfowl before freeze-up, 29 species in
all. And 4 species of gull also made the
list. But a number of expected species have
yet to appear, especially in the sparrows and
icterid families, so Alberta birders will have to
work hard to reach an average total.
British Columbia: http://tinyurl.com/bcwinter (updated 19 Jan.)
222 species (average = 250). Highlights: Solitary
Sandpiper; Black-tailed Gull (1st Canadian winter
record); Costas Hummingbird (<10 provincial
records); Black-throated Gray Warbler; Prairie
Warbler (<10 provincial records, first winter
record); Hooded Warbler (<10 provincial records,
first winter record); Black-headed Grosbeak.
Poor British Columbia. The Wet
Coast. Lotusland. Weather Wonderland of
Canada. The coastal cities of Vancouver and
Victoria experienced a true dose of Canadian
winter weather, which simultaneously provided a
shock to B.C. residents and unbridled glee among
all Canadians that reside east of the
Rockies. B.C. birders must have been filled with
dismay how else to account for the lowest
winter species total in memory, with even the
long-term average looking out of reach? And
there really werent that many rarities
discovered. Still, birders can take comfort from
the crocuses and tulips blooming before the end
of January, and Cherry blossoms in February.
Other Reporting Regions:
French Islands of Saint-Pierre et
Michelon: http://tinyurl.com/spmwinter (updated 19 Jan.)
83 species (average = 84). Highlights: Snow
Goose (3rd winter record); Wood Duck (3rd winter
record); Hooded Merganser (2nd winter record);
White-rumped Sandpiper (3rd winter record); Ivory
Gull (3rd winter record); Black-backed Woodpecker (3rd winter record).
Given such as stormy winter as the region has
been experiencing it should come as no surprise
that SMP has had trouble achieving a high total,
though they have nearly reached their long-term
average. Still, more was hoped for this winter
as December started out rather softly. Birders
there will be fortunate if the species total reaches 90.
Iceland: http://tinyurl.com/iceland-winter (updated 24 Jan.)
83 species. (average = 91) Highlights:
White-tailed Eagle; Water Rail; Eurasian
Woodcock; Eurasian Curlew; Common Snipe;
Bar-tailed Godwit; Meadow Pipit; Goldcrest.
Take 25 species of waterfowl, 12 of shorebirds,
and 12 of gulls, and you have more than half of
Icelands current total of 83, still below their
average however. It is still an impressive
effort, however, especially when you realise that
it represents the combined efforts of just 10
birders. Add in the short hours of daylight,
and the total seems even more commendable.
Other Resources:
Environment Canadas Winter Seasonal Forecast:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/saisons/index_e.html
Reference: What is Winter Birding?
In Canada, perhaps because of (or in spite of)
experiencing a bit of weather during the winter,
winter birding has become a very popular
activity. The origins of this slightly insane
behaviour apparently date from southern Ontario
in the 50's and 60's, but the sport's appeal
really took off with the promotion afforded it by
Gerry Bennett in the 1980's, through his
"Birdfinding in Canada" newsletter. Winter
Birding remains popular today. The winter
birding period comprises the three months of
December through February, matching the reporting
period of "North American Birds".
"For those who may be unfamiliar with the
concept, it basically involves a frenzied search
during the first couple of weeks to squeeze in as
many late migrants as possible before the
onslaught of usually more severe weather
conditions. Christmas Bird Counts often jack up
our total, as do normal winter activities. Plus,
it gives us birders something to do for the three
slowest birding months of the year other than
sitting idle on our hands until March. To me, at
least, a winter list is great for maintaining
birding enthusiasm, and gets a person active and
out of the house to ward off the winter doldrums
that tend to creep up mid season."
- Rudy Dudragne, Saskatchewan
Good (winter) birding,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blake Maybank
[email protected]
White's Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada
Editor, "Nova Scotia Birds"
author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia"
http://maybank.tripod.com/BSNS.htm
A true Canadian loves the Winter, revels in it,
especially in the North. . . .Winter is on, the
air becomes like rich wine that strengthens and
invigorates; pure, crisp and
health-giving. Those who have not travelled in
the vast, snowbound lake country of the North, or
tramped on showshoes in the Winter forest, where
the brilliant sun, shining out of a sky that is
pure, clear blue; those who have never witnessed
the wild, majestic spectacle of a swiftly
marching snowstormTo them I will say that no
matter what they may have seen and done, life
still holds something for them that they should
not miss. Not every country has these things and
I, for one, say we are fortunate.
- Grey Owl
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