The 49th annual Christmas Bird count was undertaken by the Williams Lake Field Naturalists on Dec 18.
Conditions had moderated after a cold spell that saw the lake and most of the river freeze over.
The 33 observers in the field had to contend with a fresh overnight snowfall and moderate winds but nothing unexpected for the time of year.
The total number of birds was on the low side coming in at 3,867 which is below the 10 year average.
The species total, however, tied with the third best of 58.
There were no new species but several difficult to find birds were uncovered including a Northern Hawk Owl in Pine Valley; a Rusty Blackbird at Scout Island and nine Snow Buntings in Chimney Valley.
A total of 12 White-throated Sparrows were found at bird feeders.
This is the highest number recorded for this species following a previous high of five set last year.
This increase in numbers probably reflects the recent range expansion of this bird as a breeding species into the Central Cariboo.
Many of the northern breeding finches which often winter here in good numbers were seen in very low numbers including Common Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks.
These ‘irruptive’ species can vary from absent one year to abundant the next.
The Evening Grosbeak, a familiar bird at feeders was not seen again this year and is now considered a species of concern.
A total of 638 were recorded on the 1989 count but numbers have been dwindling ever since.
Reasons for the decline are unknown.
Thanks to all who reported birds from their feeders and help considerably with the count.
Bird Counts and Species
A total of 58 bird species were recorded during the 49th annual Williams Lake Bird Count Dec. 18 broken down as follows by the numbers.
Mallard 62
Green-winged Teal 2
Common Goldeneye 6
Bald Eagle 21
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Accipiter species 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 9
Rough-legged Hawk 4
Golden Eagle 4
American Coot 5
American Kestrel (count week)
Merlin 2
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Rock Pigeon 459
Eurasian Collared Dove 9
Mourning Dove 3
Northern Pygmy Owl 3
Northern Hawk Owl 1
Short-eared Owl 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker. 27
Hairy Woodpecker 25
Northern Flicker 40
Am 3-toed Woodpecker 1
Black-backed Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 13
Northern Shrike 3
Gray Jay 6
Steller’s Jay 2
Black-billed Magpie 27
American Crow 478
Common Raven. 276
Black-capped Chickadee 255
Mountain Chickadee 142
Red-breasted Nuthatch 112
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper 2
American Dipper 27
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Townsend’s Solitaire 22
American Robin (during count week)
European Starling 206
Bohemian Waxwing 479
Spotted Towhee 3
Song Sparrow 37
White-throated Sparrow 12
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 143
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Brewer’s Blackbird 1
Rusty Blackbird 1
Snow Bunting 9
Pine Grosbeak 2
House Finch 179
Red Crossbill 290
White-winged Crossbill 13
Common Redpoll 29
Pine Siskin 43
American Goldfinch 62
House Sparrow 269
Total: 3867
Species: 58