The 2022 Medicine Hat Christmas Bird Count results indicate an increase in the local bald eagle population.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Cold weather significantly impacted Medicine Hat’s 41st annual Christmas Bird Count resulting in the lowest count number of the past decade – something officials say is “not a definitive reflection of the (local) bird population.”
The count took place Dec. 18, when temperatures ranged between -20 and -30C. Forty individuals joined in surveying areas around the city for birds, while 23 signed on as bird feeder watchers.
In total, 51 species were observed during the count, compared to 45 last year. However, the total number of birds observed this year (11,263) was well below last year’s total (25,210).
“This year’s count was lower than what we normally would be getting from year to year,” Ian Langill, Medicine Hat Interpretive Program assistant chief interpreter, said. “But with the weather conditions that we had this year, it was to be expected.”
Despite the low count number, Langill said the data collected is valuable.
“The information we (collect) gives us an idea of what the birds are doing as Medicine Hat has grown (and) gives just an overall view of how specific species of birds are doing,” said Langill. “This count is part of a larger count throughout North America (which shows) how specific populations have changed from province to province, and state to state.”
Data from this year’s local count has yet to be incorporated with data from other communities and regions across the continent, but highlights a number of changes in local bird populations.
One of the greatest changes is a steep reduction in the number of Canada geese counted, but Langill says the reduction is not currently a cause for concern. He says numbers may have dropped slightly due to the avian flue, but theorizes the more likely reason is that earlier than normal cold spells accelerated southern migration.
While there was a decline in the number of Canada geese and several other species this year compared to last, some species increased in numbers – most notably bald eagles.
“A record number of bald eagles were counted this year,” said Langill. “It’s safe to say that their numbers are on the rise in Medicine Hat.”
American robins also increased year-over-year.
Other notable features of the 2022 count were sightings of two species of birds not seen for several decades (the varied thrush, last seen in 2003 and the great blue heron, last seen in 1988), as well as the first ever sighting of an osprey.
