Andrew Dobson
In conjunction with National Audubon in the US, the Bermuda Audubon Society held its 41st CBC on 27th December 2015. Features of this year’s count included:
– 8,068 individual birds were counted (up from last year)
– 93 species of birds (92 in 2014, 99 in 2013, 101 in 2012)
– 3 new records for count day: West Indian Whistling-Duck, Masked Booby and Western Marsh Harrier
– European Starling was the most common species (23% of the count)
Members of the Bermuda Audubon Society recorded three new count day species during the annual Christmas Bird Count. A long-staying West Indian Whistling-Duck (only the second ever seen in Bermuda) was recorded at Port Royal and a Masked Booby, rarely seen in inland waters was present at Dockyard. Most exciting of all was the occurrence of a Western Marsh Harrier which was seen by a team travelling by boat along the Southampton shoreline. This bird, the first ever seen in Bermuda was discovered by Paul Watson on December 20th and fortunately stayed to be included in the count. In total, over 8,000 birds were recorded of 93 species on the December 27 count day. Three additional species were seen during the count week. This year’s CBC compared favourably to last year when 92 species were recorded. The most numerous species was the starling, which combined with the kiskadee and sparrow, made up over 50 per cent of the birds seen. The continuing high temperatures along the eastern seaboard of the US may well have delayed the expected arrival of some wildfowl, finches and warblers. Other highlights this year included the recording of 19 species of wood warbler, with a record count of 57 Northern Parula. President of the Bermuda Audubon Society, Andrew Dobson said, “The results are submitted to the National Audubon Society in the United States as part of a continent-wide study of birds that has been running for more than 100 years. Citizen Science provides a way for people to connect with the natural world through activities that generate vital information for the conservation of birds”. Count results can be viewed on the National Audubon website, www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count.
