Dennis's points are bang on. Perhaps we have gone too far with the "more
species than you" challenge at Christmas Bird Count time. However, let's
remember that any CBC is just a sample, for the most part collected by
amateurs, some of whom are not able to tell a Lincoln's Sparrow from a Song
Sparrow, or a House Finch from a Purple Finch...or a Thayer's Gull from a
Gluacous-winged x Western hybrid (and that 'is' a big problem here with
Victoria birders, and I suspect with others in tweeters land).

Nevertheless, many samples taken over many years, under varied weather
conditions and by a broad mixture of observers can be meaningful...if they
are interpreted properly. If, from CBC results, a species appears to be
in decline, that's when the scientists should move in, set up controlled
studies and test to see if the trend is real. If it is, then conservation
programs must be initiated. The CBC results cannot be the end point in
themselves.

There is another benefit to be gained from CBCs; getting birders
into areas that are not normally birded, and thereby finding something
exceptional. It happened on the Duncan CBC on Jan. 2:

There are historical records of Lewis's Woodpecker nesting on Vancouver
Island, and there are a few recent sitings of individuals here, even in late
summer, all of which were assumed to be wandering migrants. Certainly, no
recents nests have been found. In fact, it is generally believed that LEWO
has not nested on the island for a number of decades. A surprise find on the
Duncan CBC, therefore, was a LEWO, at a relatively remote farm south of
Duncan. Even more surprising was the fact that the landowner claims that
he has had this species on his farm regularly for "...the last 10 or 15
years..." If this proves to be so, the CBC has contributed a valuable piece
of information. We will follow it up with a thorough search this Spring.
Perhaps we will come up with a nest or two.

Bryan Gates
Vitoria Rare Bird Alert (604)-592-3381
BGATES at ASSESSMENT.env.gov.bc.ca