Results from the Count
Edmonton has been continuously participating
in this citizen science project since 1955.
in this citizen science project since 1955.
Edmonton holds the all-time record for number of participants!
And we're the Black-capped Chickadee capital of Canada.
And we're the Black-capped Chickadee capital of Canada.
Our World records:
PARTICIPATION World Record = 1288 (1987) Edmonton, AB
Boreal Owl = 8 in 2005 tied with Cochrane AB
Black-billed Magpie = 3,374 in 2001
Bohemian Waxwing = 35,298 in 2005
Our Canadian Records
Downy Woodpecker = 568 in 2015
Blue Jay = 1,598 in 1988
Black-capped Chickadee = 6,239 in 2003
Note: Canadian and World record updates become available in the following year’s report.
PARTICIPATION World Record = 1288 (1987) Edmonton, AB
Boreal Owl = 8 in 2005 tied with Cochrane AB
Black-billed Magpie = 3,374 in 2001
Bohemian Waxwing = 35,298 in 2005
Our Canadian Records
Downy Woodpecker = 568 in 2015
Blue Jay = 1,598 in 1988
Black-capped Chickadee = 6,239 in 2003
Note: Canadian and World record updates become available in the following year’s report.
The Audubon website allows you to search for results by year and for any specific count including Edmonton. Historical Results
2020 Edmonton Christmas Bird Count Final Results
Nothing stops the Christmas Bird Count!
The Count was held on Sunday, December 20th. Although the Covid-19 pandemic dictated no group gatherings, adjustments were made and Count participation was stronger than the previous year. An extra 50 people enjoyed the opportunity to go for a winter walk to count birds. Zone captains were unable to meet in person but their results were gathered and then sent to compilers via email. A January Zoom presentation to announce final results was very well attended by participants and other Edmonton Nature Club members.
Nothing stops the Christmas Bird Count!
The Count was held on Sunday, December 20th. Although the Covid-19 pandemic dictated no group gatherings, adjustments were made and Count participation was stronger than the previous year. An extra 50 people enjoyed the opportunity to go for a winter walk to count birds. Zone captains were unable to meet in person but their results were gathered and then sent to compilers via email. A January Zoom presentation to announce final results was very well attended by participants and other Edmonton Nature Club members.
Highlights for 2020:
- The addition of a new Count species as feeder watcher Linda C. discovered a Yellow-rumped Warbler sheltering in her yard. The bird was well documented and joins our “C” list of rare Count birds.
- We set a new Edmonton record with a total of 1240 House Finches counted.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
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House Finch
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Also notable:
- Participants have become more aware and skilled in identifying finches, this is improving our data.
- Due to mild weather throughout late fall and early winter, there was a lot of open water on the river. This allowed larger numbers of waterfowl to be present as well as eagles ( ducks are a food source).
- Some species such as Ruffed Grouse, Snow Bunting and owls are impacted by the loss of habitat in the outer sections of the Count area. Eventually they may drop from the “A” list of expected birds.
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Participation and total numbers:
# of Bush beaters: 222 # of Feeder watchers: 251 Total Participants: 473 Total # of Birds: 28907 Total Species: 49 |
Results compiled by: Lynn and Arnold Maki, Event Coordinators Statistics by: Geoff Holroyd |
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“A List” Expected Bird Species: 40 out of 45 species
Mallard 605 Common Goldeneye 267 (large increase, lots of open water on the river) Gray Partridge 6 Ruffed Grouse ZERO for the 2nd year in a row Rock Pigeon 4805 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Cooper's Hawk 3 Northern Goshawk 4 Bald Eagle 12 Great Horned Owl 3 Boreal Owl ZERO for several years N Saw-whet Owl ZERO Three-toed Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 430 Hairy Woodpecker 68 Northern Flicker 39 Pileated Woodpecker 86 Merlin 17 Northern Shrike 5 Blue Jay 580 Black-billed Magpie 3447 American Crow 79 Common Raven 617 |
"A List" continued
Black-capped Chickadee 3691 Boreal Chickadee 35 Red-breasted Nuthatch 605 White-breasted Nuthatch 330 Brown Creeper 16 Golden-crowned Kinglet 5 Townsend's Solitaire 3 American Robin 26 European Starling 34 Bohemian Waxwing 4591 (more than double 2019) Cedar Waxwing 20 Pine Grosbeak 171 (more than triple 2019) House Finch 1240 (853 in 2019) Purple Finch 1 Common Redpoll 196 Hoary Redpoll ZERO for a few years now White-winged Crossbill 5 Pine Siskin 154 Snow Bunting ZERO for a few years now Dark-eyed Junco 121 White-throated Sparrow 19 House Sparrow 6368 |
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“B List” Difficult To Find Bird Species: Total of 6 species
Canada Goose 132 (large increase over 2019) Common Merganser 2 Barred Owl 1 Black-backed Woodpecker 3 Prairie Falcon 1 White-crowned Sparrow 3 |
“C List” Rare Species: Total of 3 species (3 individuals)
Barrow's Goldeneye 1 (Zone 7) Varied Thrush 1 (Zone 6) Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 (Zone 4) New species in 2020. |
Barred Owl photo by Gerald Romanchuk
Banner photo: Immature Bald Eagle by A. Carter
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