The 2024 Christmas Bird Count (125th Audubon CBC) on Cortes Island was held on December 28, 2024.
We recorded seventy-four species and 4550 individuals, observed by 40 participants – a testament to the keen interest in counting our birds on this annual census. Organized by the Cortes Island Museum and Archives Society, this 24th annual Cortes count is a quantitative record of our fine feathered friends. The data goes to the Audubon Society database to join the multitude of counts across Canada (and the world!).
The weather was quite favourable considering the very stormy fall. It was cool, with light rain in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon. Winds were light.
This year, we had a group of observers go out in a boat and circumnavigate Marina Island (new this year). This party were the only ones to spot Brant (3), Long-tailed Duck (11), Black Scoter (8), Turkey Vulture (1), Herring Gull (1) and American Coot (3). They also added to the tally 27 Common Loons, 4 Western Grebes, 500 Surf Scoters, 300 Harlequin Ducks, 14 Black Turnstones and an impressive 98 Black Oystercatchers. The large number of birds recorded there is a testament to how important Marina Island is to the overwintering population of birds. We don’t get out there very often due to weather conditions and not having volunteers willing to brave the chill of boating in winter! I want to thank Michael and Sierra Sullivan for taking on this zone. Their data reflects the large numbers of certain aquatic species/individuals in our total count. I believe these species are out there every winter, and it’s great to have them included in the count. Our waters are very rich in “seabirds” that overwinter here.
Cortes was divided up into several zones: Carrington Bay (special thanks to the school children/young adults graduates led by Liam Preston), Whaletown/Gorge, Squirrel Cove/Blue Jay Lake, Cortes Bay, Manson’s and the lakes, Linnaea and Smelt Bay/Sutil Point and so forth. Records also came from around 20 individuals who spotted birds at their feeders and environs. These records are much appreciated as they give us a glimpse of what is around on private properties.
Detailed results are posted on the Cortes Island Museum Bird Counts page with a summary written by George Sirk and some wonderful pictures taken by Gary Fast.