In conjunction with National Audubon in the US, the Bermuda Audubon Society held its 42nd CBC on 17th December 2016.
About 20 members of the Bermuda Audubon Society conducted the annual Christmas Bird Count. Additional species can be included during count week (3 days either side of count day). Highlight of the count was the discovery of an Eider Duck, the first ever sighting of this species in Bermuda. On the count day itself, 93 species were seen and over 8,000 individual birds recorded. This was exactly the same number of species seen in 2015. The most numerous species was the European Starling, which combined with the Great Kiskadee and House Sparrow, made up over 50 per cent of the birds seen. Other highlights this year included the occurrence of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Snow Goose and Snow Bunting. A record 9 Glossy Ibis were seen and an impressive 19 species of wood warbler, including a record count of 57 Northern Parulas. 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 are available on the National Audubon website, www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
