This winter’s CBC took place on 2nd January 1999. The recording area of Bermuda was divided up into six sections, with ten Audubon Society members doing their best to record every bird seen. On a day with temperatures reaching a high of 69 degrees and winds between 10-15 knots from the NNE, birds showed themselves in good numbers. 7,437 individual birds of 99 species were recorded, and although no new species were added to the all time list, there were a number of good sightings.
Eric Amos was lucky enough to watch a Sharp-shinned Hawk in aerial combat with a Merlin and two American Kestrels over the Talbot Estate. In fact Merlins (11) were seen in record numbers. Jeremy Madeiros observed all the Cedar Waxwings (87) another high count for the CBC. Twenty species of wood warblers were seen, of which Ovenbirds broke the hundred mark and there were record counts of Northern Parula (35) and Magnolia Warbler (6). Perhaps the best locations on the day were Spittal Pond and the Airport. At Spittal I was lucky enough to record almost 40 species by 9 o’clock, including an American Bittern and White Ibis. David Wingate and Joe Furbert’s list at the Airport included a CBC record count of Whimbrel (14), nearly 200 Killdeer, American Pipits (13) and Snow Buntings (24).
A Red-eyed Vireo, seen by Paul Watson on Paget Island a couple of days earlier, could not be located on count day, but it was the first time this species has been recorded during count week. Our results are sent to the National Audubon Society and added to those received from counts throughout the Americas. The first count was held nearly 100 years ago, and the results help to identify population trends of bird species in different regions. To see the full results, go to www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
