On a very rainy Sunday, December 17, 2017, thirty-five bird enthusiasts attended the CBC – Christmas Bird Count Day, sponsored by the Cortes Island Museum, Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada.
In the heavy at times and continuous rain, with water covered eye glasses, binoculars and cameras, it was difficult to spot and recognize birds. Still the results are not that bad, although we spotted fewer birds and less species than previous years. The only species doing better than previous years is Anna’s Hummingbird. Global warming and/or more bird feeders?
We had tasty lunch in the Mansons Hall’s Pioneer Room prepared by Susanne and served by Craig. Coffee and apple cider served by Donna Manson. Pioneer Room cleanup by Donna and Mike Manson, plus Gina and Jurek Trzesicki. Local apple cider donated by Fred Savage! Thank you all!
Thank you bird count leaders: Laurel Bohart (our overall leader), Bill Ophoff, Samantha Moore, Chris Napper, and Ralph Garrison.
At the end of the counting day, rain soaked bird group leaders met in the museum to tally up the total numbers and discuss species observed.
We also included bird feeders observations from Carol and Richard Trueman and Aileen and Christian Gronau, with their bird observation territory.
Thank you to all participants for making the 2017 Cortes Island Christmas Bird Count another interesting and successful event!
See attached pdf document with this year and past years CBC results.
