25th Christmas Bird Count 1999

On December 30th, 1999, 9 observers in 7 parties set out for a dawn to dusk count of all the birds they encountered throughout the length and breadth of Bermuda. We were participating in the U.S. National Audubon Society’s annual bird census which was celebrating its 100th count! During our quarter of a century of counts, 54 observers in 1050 hours have listed 221 species and 169,441 birds, while travelling 3138 miles. Although this year’s count was done in excellent weather conditions, we actually had the lowest number of species – 87 (the average being 95) and the lowest number of birds (7341) since 1989. Indeed it was certainly uneventful and nothing unexpected was turned up. Only seven species reached new record totals, while two species were new to the count (Long-billed Dowitcher and the now famous Brown Pelican). In fact two of the species have been counted in previous years: the Canada Goose at Camden Ditch (for the 4th time) and the feral flamingo at Spittal Pond was censused for 11th time! Another long-staying bird was also found for a 4th time -but sadly it was found dead at Devonshire Marsh – apparently poisoned (by chicken haters?). The count was however notable in that it was electronically sent to count HQ (via the Internet) and it was immediately published! Results of the Bermuda CBC are available to everyone at www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count