Andrew Dobson
In conjunction with National Audubon in the US, the Bermuda Audubon Society held its 40th CBC on 27th December 2014. Features of this year’s count included:
• 7,493 individual birds were counted (well down on last year’s total)
• 92 species of birds (99 in 2013, 101 in 2012, 88 in 2011, 101 in 2010, 100 in 2009)
• European Starling was the most common species (21.6% of the count)
• Record counts for Hooded Merganser and Horned Grebe
Members of the Bermuda Audubon Society discovered a Snow Goose at Clearwater while doing the annual Christmas Bird Count. Nearly 7,500 birds were recorded of 92 species on the December 27 count day with an additional 7 species in count week.
This year’s CBC went very well and we recorded an above average number of species. Observers were keen to see whether this year’s two hurricanes had taken its toll on local birds. Numbers of bluebirds, white-eyed vireos and cardinals seem to have held up well, but the number of mourning doves was about half the number recorded in recent years. The most numerous species was the starling, which combined with the kiskadee and sparrow, made up over 50 per cent of the birds seen. Highlights this year included the recording of 18 species of wood warbler, 15 species of wildfowl, with record numbers of hooded mergansers and only the second ever record of a redhead duck on count day.
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. The observers can learn about birds by taking part in these science-based activities and Audubon’s science staff gains invaluable information. The Audubon Society says the practice also benefits the birds because it helps the organisation focus on those birds and habitats that need our help most. Count results will be available as they are entered on to the National Audubon website.
