Subject: [Tweeters] Merritt, BC CBC highlights (Jan. 3, 2005)
Date: Jan 7 14:40:22 2005
From: Wayne C. Weber - contopus at telus.net


Tweeters,

The 7th Merritt, BC Christmas Bird Count (not including a
single-observer
count I did in 1995) took place on Monday, January 3, 2005. Eleven
observers participated: 6 from Merritt and vicinity, 4 from Kamloops,
and one from Delta (me). Temperatures were well below normal,
with a high of -11 degrees and a low of -20 degrees C.
Fortunately, winds were light, ranging from nearly calm to 10 km/hr.
Snow cover varied from about 5 cm to 30 cm in the count circle, which
is centered on Nicola, at the west end of Nicola Lake.

We tallied 68 species of birds on count day, plus one count-week
species (Merlin). This is only 2 species below our all-time high of 70
species on December 29, 2001, and well above our average of 61
species. We consistently record more species of birds than any
other counts in the BC Interior outside of the Kamloops to Osoyoos
axis.

The totals are still subject to final revisions. However, noteworthy
species and counts are as follows:


Trumpeter Swan 34 (high count; previous high, 13)
Green-winged Teal 61 (average count, 29)
Mallard 448 (lowest count ever; average count, 1457)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 (second count record; 1 in 1997/98)
Ruffed Grouse 3 (second count record; 2 in 1997/98)
Killdeer 1 (second count record; 1 in 2002/3)
WILSON'S SNIPE 1 (second count record: 1 in 2002/3)
Mourning Dove 237 (2nd highest count; average 147)
SHORT-EARED OWL 1 (new to count; 1 seen count week, 2002/3)
Clark's Nutcracker 1 (lowest count ever; average count, 30)
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (lowest count ever; average count, 11)
Pygmy Nuthatch 2 (lowest count ever; average count, 17)
MARSH WREN 1 (new to count)
European Starling 168 (high count; previous high, 158)
SPOTTED TOWHEE 2 (3rd count record; 1 seen in 1997/98 and again in
2001/2)
White-crowned Sparrow 4 (high count; previous high, 3 in 2000/1)
Dark-eyed Junco 74 (high count; previous high, 46 in 2002/3)
Red-winged Blackbird 225 (high count; previous high, 150 in 2001/2)

The total tally of birds was about 2752 individuals-- well below
normal.

All parties had trouble finding forest birds, and it seemed that they
were very quiet because of the cold weather. The nuthatch count was
only 8 birds for all 3 species combined (compared to 93 in 2002/3),
and only a single CLARK'S NUTCRACKER was found, although 11
were seen the next day at Harmon Estates, within the count circle.
Waterbirds were hard to see and count because of mist rising off
Nicola Lake into the frigid air, but at least a good variety of
species
were present. Mallard numbers were very low, and it seems likely
that thousands left the area when the Arctic air moved in.

On the other hand, the Baird Cattle Co. feedlot was full of birds as
usual. A distinct highlight was a concentration of birds around open
water at Mameet Spring, on Highway 8 W of Merritt (near the junction
with Highway 97C). Birds seen here included a KILLDEER and a COMMON
SNIPE, both of which should have left weeks earlier; a GREAT BLUE
HERON; a single NORTHERN PINTAIL and an out-of-place AMERICAN
COOT; about 100 MALLARDS; and small numbers (2 to 30 each)
of CANADA GEESE, GADWALL, AM. WIGEON, and GREEN-WINGED
TEAL.

Many thanks to all of the observers for making a good effort during
challenging weather, and especially to Murphy Shewchuk, who roped in a
couple of last-minute observers by contacting about 30 members of the
local Outdoor Club by E-mail.

Wayne C. Weber
51-6712 Baker Road
Delta, BC V4E 2V3
contopus at telus.net
(Merritt CBC organizer/compiler)