Christmas Bird Count 2020 Results
By Lethbridge Count Compiler: Ken Orich
This year the Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count took place on Saturday, Dec. 19th. Eighty-four dedicated participants tallied 57 species (45,737 individual birds) on count day, with an additional 5 species during count week. This was the highest count recorded according to data dating back to 2003, surpassing previous high counts of 49 in 2007, 2012 and 2015.
This year all 38 areas of the City of Lethbridge were counted (1st time ever), as well as the 6 country areas in the count circle. Weather conditions were less than ideal as far as wind goes (WSW 50 kmph with gust to 75 kmph), however it was mostly sunny and warm with temperatures running between +3 to +9°C. Volunteers covered 618.1 km by vehicle for a total time of 47.35 hours and 252.6 km by foot for a total time of 107.55 hours. Total distance and times are based on area counts (individual or team).
Highlights
1st ever Pacific Wren counted.
1st ever Northern Shoveler counted.
Canada Goose numbers continue to hold strong with 34,576 individuals recorded, 2nd highest count after 2019 record. More open water most likely resulted in greater dispersal and more challenging to count.
Mallard high count of 2258 individuals. Previous high count was 1864 in 2015.
Only 2nd time a Canvasback has been tallied. Previous record was 2 in 2003.
4 Hooded Merganser is a new count high.
Bald Eagle numbers continue to be strong with a tally of 34, second highest count compared to 54 in 2015.
The first-ever American Wigeon was observed during count week, but could not be located on count day.
New high count for Merlin at 14 beating the previous high of 13 in 2015.
One Snowy Owl was observed, only the 4th time one has been recorded for the count.
1005 Black-billed Magpies were tallied, setting a new high count and beating last year’s high of 926.
242 Red-breasted Nuthatches were counted, just under the previous high of 248 in 2018.
For the second time, more Cedar Waxwings (12) were seen than Bohemian Waxwings (4). In 2018 it was 71/19.
A White-throated Sparrow was observed for only the 3rd time on count day.
A Harris’s Sparrow was observed for the 4th time in count history on count day.
Highest House Finch tally of 563 beating the previous high of 546 from 2015.
It appears to be a good Crossbill year with 49 Red Crossbills and 34 White-winged Crossbills reported.
House Sparrows shattered the previous high of 2444 in 2019 by 1000+ with a count of 3467.
This was the first time Pronghorn were observed and reported with 163 being counted.
First time a Mink was observed during count week.
Second time a Striped Skunk and Richardson’s Ground Squirrel has been observed on count day.