Bird Count Reports

by Kyron Giroux

The Saskatoon Nature Society’s 2015 May Day bird count took place on May 23rd this year. The weather was warm with a high of 27° C, a mostly clear sky, and almost no wind, although many water levels were still high from previous years; it was a very dry day. All in all, it was a pretty average count; a total of fifty-one people went out and counted 29,754 birds, slightly lower than the long-term mean of 32,304, with two of the areas not being done at all this year. However, there was a total species count of 177, which is slightly higher than the long-term mean of 175.
The geese, duck and grebe numbers were right around average, nothing too surprising except for a single Greater White-fronted Goose, one Cinnamon Teal, and a lack of Common Loons. There were two White-faced Ibis counted this year, only the second time ever they have been found during the count.
Shorebird numbers were incredibly low this year, with a total of 4,088 shorebirds counted, far lower than their long-term mean of 8,625, partially due to the low number of peeps found, with a total of 499 peeps counted, also far lower than their long-term mean of 4,631, it is also partially due to the still high water levels, and a lack of shoreline in many areas. Surprisingly, the number of Black-necked Stilts reached an all-time high of 18, more than doubling their previous high of 7.
Gull & Tern numbers were slightly down this year, with only 2,235 individuals being counted, down almost 30% from their long-term mean of 3,143.
The birds of prey are another group that was slightly lower than average, with 170 individuals being counted, and the long-term mean being 222. However, there were a few surprising birds of prey, including a Broad-winged Hawk, a Short-eared Owl, and even a Northern Goshawk.
There were 15 species of warblers counted, with a total of 1,171 individuals, higher than the long-term mean of 790. Unfortunately, almost all of the warbler species were represented by only a few individual birds. With a count of 1,043, Yellow Warblers made up 89% of all the warblers counted. Some surprising species of warblers found include, 2 Magnolia Warbler, 1 Cape May Warbler, 1 Blackburnian Warbler and 1 Wilson’s Warbler.
A surprising number of Sparrows were counted, with 14 species, and 1,655 individuals, again higher than the long-term mean of 1,360. This is mostly due to high numbers of Chipping Sparrows and Clay-colored Sparrows. With 14 species there were a few interesting species as well, including, 3 Lincoln’s Sparrows, 1 Harris’s Sparrow, 1 Fox Sparrow and 1 Dark-eyed Junco.
Blackbird numbers counted are higher than normal, with 3,896 individuals, a fair amount higher than the mean of 3100. This is partially due to the large number of Red-winged Blackbirds counted, with 1,508 individuals, the highest they’ve been on the count since 1988.
Finch numbers were also up this year, with a total of 517 individuals, and the long-term mean being 339. This was helped by an above average number of American Goldfinches and House Finches. There was a surprising pair of White-winged Crossbills found this year.
You can download the complete tabulated report here: