The 125th Christmas Bird Count in Montana

Complete Counts Run, Effort, Complete Species Discovered, 4 New Species Reported

This yr Montana birders accomplished 31 Christmas Chicken Counts (CBCs), which was the identical as final yr and just like the common variety of counts from the interval 115-124 (32).  Nevertheless, we discovered a mixed complete of 153 species this yr (Appendix 1), which is the very best recorded from the interval 115-124, and an 8.5% improve from the common quantity discovered throughout that interval (141). 

The variety of particular person birds counted (228,125) was 7.5% greater than the previous common (212,170).  The variety of daylight spent within the discipline (effort) was comparable (2% greater) to the common through the interval 115-124 (Determine 1).                

The variety of discipline individuals this yr (671) was comparable (3% beneath) the common (693) for the interval 115-124 (Determine 2).  

In distinction to discipline effort, the common feeder-watcher hours this yr was 18% decrease than the common feeder-watcher hours through the through the interval 115-124. 

Discovering barely extra species (153) and barely extra particular person birds with common discipline effort, and beneath common feeder-watcher effort seemingly displays mixtures of early scouting and environment friendly protection of circles on rely day, in addition to good visibility and comparatively straightforward strolling (much less deep snow cowl), and possibly extra open water within the discipline on rely day.

4 new species had been recorded this yr:  Bonaparte’s Gull (1 from Bigfork, images in eBird), Nice Black-backed Gull (1 from Helena, images in eBird.  This species was beforehand a rely week chicken (CW, outlined as 3 days earlier than and three days after a rely day) from Fort Peck throughout CBC # 115.  CW species are recorded, however don’t contribute towards a rely or state complete quantity.  Williamson’s Sapsucker was recorded on 2 circles, 1 every at Bozeman (images in eBird from earlier than and after rely day, but in addition recorded on rely day), and Yellowstone Nationwide Park.  The latter was truly within the Wyoming portion of the circle, in order that report wouldn’t rely as being present in Montana.  Final, a Black-throated Grey Warbler was additionally discovered on the Yellowstone Nationwide Park rely, within the Montana portion close to Gardiner (Appendix 1).  These 4 new species carry Montana’s complete cumulative chicken listing to 224.  Recall that we misplaced a species final yr when the two former redpoll species had been mixed into 1 species.

We had a whopping 24 species discovered on simply 1 rely this yr, which contributed to our excessive (153) general complete species discovered this yr (Desk 1). 

Desk 1.  Birds discovered on single counts and never rely week elsewhere, Montana Christmas Chicken Depend #125.

We discovered 3 species through the varied CWs and never on any rely day:  Glaucous-winger Gull (Fort Peck), Nice Grey Owl (Kalispell), and Noticed Towhee (at Lewistown and Troy).

Bigfork once more tallied essentially the most species (88), with Helena and Ninepipe NWR tied at 86.  The one different rely > 80 was Missoula (81).  Bigfork’s 88 was nicely wanting their earlier excessive, which is the state report of 98 (CBC #118).  The common variety of birds seen this yr was 52, which was 7% above the common (49) for the interval 115-124.  Counts with excessive species totals usually have excessive habitat range together with open water, in addition to many expert observers.  5 counts had 27 or fewer species this yr, which is comparatively regular for our low-numbered counts.

Missoula once more had the very best variety of birders—94 discipline individuals and 13 Feeder-watchers for a mixed complete of 107people.  No different counts topped 100.  Stevensville had the following highest mixed complete (72), 38 discipline individuals and 34 feeder-watchers.  Bozeman had the 2nd highest variety of discipline individuals (57) adopted by Helena (51).  The common variety of discipline individuals was 22.  9 counts had fewer than 10 discipline individuals (fewest = 2 individuals on 1 rely).

Widespread Species

Bald Eagle was once more essentially the most widespread species, discovered on all 31 counts, totaling 1098 birds.  The excessive variety of Bald Eagles was 108 at Kalispell, the low was 1 chicken at Bowdoin NWR.  The common variety of Bald Eagles discovered was 35.  Bald Eagle numbers and birds per social gathering hour (the metric to standardize knowledge to match data between years) have steadily elevated because the late 70s, with the banning of pesticides coupled with elevated habitat and nest-site conservation.  Bald Eagle metrics have remained usually at or close to report highs since CBC #111 (Determine 3).

Two species had been discovered on 30 counts every:  Mallard (however not recorded from Higher Swan Valley); and Black-billed Magpie (however not recorded from Libby).  Canada Goose was discovered on 28 counts and 1 CW circle (Higher Swan Valley), so 29 counts had been represented; the species was not discovered on Quigley and Bowdoin NWR.

Most Quite a few Species

Species with excessive numbers this yr had been additionally species whose numbers can fluctuate extensively from yr to yr.  Canada Goose was essentially the most quite a few species this yr (73,625 birds), whereas the final 2 years totaled round 40,000 birds every.  Canada Goose birds per social gathering hour this yr was 51% greater than the common birds per social gathering hour from the interval from CBC #91-#124 (Determine 4).

Mallard was the two^nd most quite a few species (45,649 birds).  This yr’s Mallard birds per social gathering hour was 32% above the common from the interval CBC #45-#124, and far greater since CBC #115 (Determine 5).  

European Starling was the one different species over 10,000 birds (10,924).  European Starling birds per social gathering hour this yr was beneath however pretty close to to the common birds per social gathering hour from the interval CBC # 41-#124 (Determine 6).  Starling birds per social gathering hour has fluctuated close to this common pretty constantly because the late Nineteen Sixties

Species that Range Extensively Between Years.

Bohemian Waxwing numbers and birds per social gathering hour differ extensively every year, displaying steep spikes and deep valleys (Determine 7).  This yr, Bohemian Waxwing numbers and birds per social gathering hour had been just like final yr—each had been report lows that had been 81-82% decrease than the previous common birds per social gathering hour (Determine 7).  Bohemian Waxwings could also be wintering nearer to their summer time breeding vary, that’s, they could be remaining north of Montana throughout winter.

Just like Bohemian Waxwing, Home Sparrow birds per social gathering hour was nicely beneath their previous common, which was additionally the case final yr (a 38% lower this yr, Determine 8).  Not like Bohemian Waxwings, Home Sparrow metrics have fluctuated extra carefully round their common birds per social gathering hour (that’s, smaller peaks and valleys) because the Eighties (Determine 8). 

This yr, I observed that Snow Goose numbers had been the very best ever reported (64 birds); some years haven’t any detections.  I puzzled if the species was maybe short-stopping, or displaying extra wintering birds farther north than throughout previous a long time.  From our knowledge, that doesn’t look like the case (Determine 9).  Extra years of information will assist inform this query.

Mourning and Eurasian Collared-Dove Numbers

Mourning Dove birds per social gathering hour was just like final yr, and Eurasian Collared-Dove was barely greater than final yr’s quantity (Determine 10).  Mourning Dove values stay greater than through the interval of the late Forties by the Nineties.  Maybe Eurasian Collared-Dove numbers are flattening out after an preliminary spike from 2001-2017.

Owls

This yr we discovered solely 6 owl species (and 1 CW species) of our 13 potential winter owl species.  Nice Horned Owl was essentially the most widespread (75 birds from 20 counts and 1 CW at Lewistown).  Northern Pygmy-Owl (29 birds) was discovered on 12 counts and a pair of CW websites (Stevensville and Bozeman).  Lengthy-eared Owl was discovered on 4 counts and totaled 21 birds; 14 had been from Ninepipe alone.  Northern Noticed-whet Owl was discovered on 3 counts, and totaled 6 birds.  One Northern Hawk Owl was discovered on 1 rely—Glacier Nationwide Park.  Quick-eared Owl was tallied from only one rely with 5 birds (Ninepipe) and a pair of CW birds at Helena and Kalispell.   Nice Grey Owl was CW at Kalispell.  Species missed embody Snowy Owl, Western and Japanese Screech-Owls, American Barn Owl (a couple of data), Barred Owl, and sometimes, Boreal Owl. 

Gulls

This yr’s gull tally was excessive, with 8 gull species plus a 9^th CW species.  Depend day birds included Bonaparte’s, Quick-billed, Ring-billed, California, Herring, Iceland (consists of Thayer’s), Glaucous, and Nice Black-backed Gull.  Glaucous-winged Gull was discovered CW at Fort Peck.

Different Uncommon Species

Different uncommon species not already talked about embody the next:  One Better Whie-fronted Goose was discovered at Bozeman, and CW at Hamilton.  Three Ruby-crowned Kinglets had been discovered, 1 every at Helena, Missoula, and Three Forks.  This species usually overwinters within the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys, however has been reported solely as soon as earlier than in Helena (CBC #123) and by no means at Three Forks.  5 Western Bluebirds had been discovered at Helena, and 1 every Mountain Bluebird was discovered at Billings, Helena, and Three Forks.  Bluebirds have solely lately been considerably common on our counts, particularly at Helena.  No bluebird species had been recorded at Three Forks till this yr; Billings had 1 MOBL on CBC#47.  Our most anticipated Warbler—Yellow-rumped—was discovered at Bigfork and Nineipe (1 chicken every).  One Widespread Yellowthroat was discovered at Helena, and CW at Ninepipe.  Yellow-headed Blackbirds had been discovered at Bigfork and Helena (1 chicken every).  This species can overwinter, however discovering 1 is like searching for a needle in a blackbird haystack.  Two Canyon Wrens had been discovered, 1 every at Ninepipe and Stevensville.  The species is a everlasting resident in applicable habitat, nevertheless it takes fairly a little bit of effort to search out the people which will happen in a rely circle.   

Because of all of our individuals, and see you once more subsequent yr.

Appendix 1.  Species (153) and numbers tallied throughout Montana CBC #125

Photographs

Black-throated Grey Warbler, photographed on rely day (22 Dec 2024) by Katy Duffy at Gardiner, MT, Yellowstone Nationwide Park CBC #125

Williamson’s Sapsucker, photographed (18 Dec 2024) after rely day however discovered on rely day (and earlier than), Byran Butler, Bozeman CBC #125