Wet and windy conditions didn’t dim enthusiasm for the annual Christmas Bird Count in the White Rock area, but organizers say it absolutely affected results.
Gareth Pugh, co-ordinator for the White Rock count, said fewer than 50,000 birds were logged during the count, which was held Dec. 29. By comparison, more than 67,000 birds were spotted the previous year, and in 2016, participants recorded more than 73,500.
“Birds are very like humans, as they shelter from the bad weather and stay put until it improves,” Pugh said in a news release.
“The following day, I led a Christmas Bird Count for Kids and the weather was so different the birds were out enjoying the sunshine, so we had a very good day.”
A total of 80 birders turned out for this year’s count, which is an early-winter census by the National Audubon Society. The data collected helps track how bird species are faring and is a critical tool in determining which species are most at risk, according to the news release.
Held for 118 years, it is an effort that spans Canada, the U.S. and many other countries in the Western Hemisphere.
The White Rock count covers a 24-kilometre diameter circle that also includes a large area of Surrey and Langley, as well as part of Whatcom County in Washington. Volunteers divide into teams to tackle nine areas within the circle.
READ MORE: Birders brave the cold for annual Christmas count
In Langley, many volunteers were put off by the inclement weather, organizer Mike Klotz told Black Press Media.
“I think I had 10 people cancel last night,” Klotz said as volunteers gathered that Saturday morning.
“We had several people beg off because of the rain.”
Among those who chose to brave the conditions was Anthea Farr, who was planning to search for birds on a flood plain.
“We’ve all got tall rubber boots, because there’s a lot of water on the trail,” Farr said.
Wildlife photographer John Gordon, another count regular, said 2018 has been a good year for bird watching, thanks to the cold winter that drove many species south in search of food.
“A really good year is 250 species (spotted),” Gordon said.
“I’m up to 244 and one young person has seen 270, just in Metro Vancouver.”
Christmas bird counts in the Lower Mainland are each conducted on a single day between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5.
Each one is organized by a birding club or naturalist organization.