All Things Birds

Published by Michael Dunn on 06/08/2025 06/08/2025

A report on the results of two annual bird survey events on Mayne Island.

Christmas Bird Count

December 14, 2024 must go down as the wildest weather I have ever experienced in my over 40 years of doing annual Christmas counts. The conditions were extreme in that we had high winds, very high tides with storm surge above the tides, and heavy rain for most of the day. Nonetheless, 26 people, representing 17 teams, logging 37 hours and 88 kilometers of surveys, braved all this to count our winter birds. While all teams reported that their counts did not produce great results, the sum of their efforts was surprisingly good.

We tallied 67 species and 2288 birds for the day. The species total equals our 30-year average of counts, but our bird numbers were only 50% of our 30-year average, and were the third lowest on record. Nonetheless, it is heartening to see that we have a fairly diverse core of wintering bird species even though their abundance in any given year may fluctuate widely. The top ten species, in terms of numbers, were a mix of residents (R) and wintering only (W) birds. These were Dark-eyed Junco R (385), Barrow’s Golden-eye W (270), Pine Siskin R (183), Bufflehead W (129), American Wigeon W (122), Chestnut-backed Chickadee R (113), Canada Goose R (97), Golden-Crowned Kinglet R (91), Common Goldeneye W (63) and Double-crested Cormorant R (60).

This year’s count also produced two notable and uncommon wintering species – the White-throated Sparrow and the Chipping Sparrow. During count week we had two spectacular bird species observed: the Western Screech Owl and the Great Horned Owl. The former was detected two days before the count date, while the latter was detected the day after. Count week bird numbers are not included in the count total, but the species is tagged as a count week bird. The count week is defined as the three days leading up to the count day and the three days afterwards. This is only the second time a Western Screech Owl has been detected on or near a Christmas count day. This coastal subspecies is at risk, and its numbers and range have contracted significantly over the last couple of decades (see this article on the Western Screech Owl for more information). This makes it exciting to have the species present on Mayne Island.

Thanks to all the people who participated in this year’s challenging count and to those who came to the post count potluck, where we enjoyed great food and stories of the day in candlelight, without power.

Fifth Annual Big Day Count 2025

On a more timely note, our annual spring Big Day Count to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day 2025 for the northern hemisphere was held on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The Big Day is an opportunity to observe and reflect on the amazing travels of many bird species from wintering to breeding sites. It is also a time to increase our awareness of the critical importance of maintaining significant and predictable feeding and nesting opportunities where we live, for these birds to thrive.

The beauty of this count is that only the species need to be recorded, and not the total number of birds. This year the count attracted 21 observers who generated numerous lists of bird species seen. Compiled together, we tallied a total of 81 species of birds found on Mayne for that one day. Notable among them were a Wandering Tattler, a Killdeer, Brant’s Goose, Townsend’s Solitaire, House Wren, Barn Swallow, and Chipping Sparrow, all of which are considered uncommon or rare in this part of the world at this time of year. The table below lists the total species seen.

Thanks to all participants and those that dropped by after the count.

Mayne Island Fifth Big Day Count Results – May 10, 2025

Learn More

If you are interested in learning more about the birds of Mayne Island or being contacted about upcoming bird related activities, please contact Michael Dunn at ed@mayneconservancy.ca. Or, drop by the Conservancy’s booth at the Farmers Market, where you can purchase the Birds of Mayne Island – A Checklist, compiled by Michael.