Bird enthusiasts and nature lovers hope to continue a growing trend of watchers and counters with this weekend’s annual Victoria Christmas Bird Count.
Last year, 306 people across Greater Victoria documented 138 species.
It was the sixth consecutive year the event had the highest number of counters in the field for the more than 2,500 Christmas Bird Counts held, according to coordinator Ann Nightingale.
Novice birdwatchers are welcome and encouraged. Skilled birders are on hand to provide identification, and to share their knowledge and tips. “It’s a great way to gain valuable insights and experience to enhance the birding skills that many took up during COVID restrictions,” Nightingale said.
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With a plethora of rarities this fall, such as the white-breasted nuthatch, orchard oriole, pygmy nuthatch and summer tanager, assistant coordinator Jennifer Armstrong is hopeful for some interesting spotting on Saturday, Dec. 16.
“Almost anything might turn up on the count day,” Armstrong said.
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The CBC in Victoria includes the main midnight to midnight count on Dec. 16, a free CBC4Kids event in the afternoon and the backyard feeder watch. Participants can count for part or all of the day, with some teams seeking out owls as well as waterfowl, songbirds and hummingbirds.
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“Though the birding opportunities may get slimmer in most parts of Canada as the winter months progress, southern Vancouver Island is hopping with birdlife this time of year. Many are year-round residents, and more migrate to the area and surrounding ocean for wintering grounds, where they will stay until the spring before heading back to breeding grounds,” Armstrong said.
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In addition to the traditional Christmas Bird Counts, Rocky Point Bird Observatory hosts a special Christmas Bird Count for Kids at Beckwith Park in Saanich, on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. The family-friendly event complements the annual Christmas Bird Count, to engage a new generation in one of the continent’s longest-running citizen science projects. The results from the CBC4Kids will be included in the official Victoria Christmas Bird Count.
The region hosts several group events from Duncan to Sooke to Sidney as well as the backyard watchers.
Visit christmasbirdcount.ca or contact victoriacbc@naturevictoria.ca for information on local groups or to register as a yard watcher.
