Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count 2019

Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count

Wild Turkeys

The Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count was held on January 1.  It was just after the snowstorm of December 31.  That made limited access to roads and driveways.  The trees were laden with snow making it difficult for small birds.  Understandably the count numbers and species were down but it was a good count none-the-less.  Many thanks to all participants who braved the roads and the cold to contribute to this worthwhile citizen science activity.  See below for the results.

Mactaquac CBC 2019
Jan. 1, 2020
Species	Total
Am Black Duck	41
Common Goldeneye	9
Common Merganser	15
Bald Eagle	5
Ruffed Grouse	1
Wild Turkey	3
Herring Gull	30
Ring-billed Gull	1
Great Black-backed Gull	13
Rock Pigeon	148
Mourning Dove	46
Downy Woodpecker	12
Hairy Woodpecker	10
Pileated Woodpecker	6
Blue Jay	105
American Crow	112
Common Raven	22
Black-capped Chickadee	290
Red-breasted Nuthatch	19
White-breasted Nuthatch	15
Golden-crowned Kinglet	7
European Starling	262
American Tree Sparrow	3
Dark-eyed Junco	3
Northern Cardinal	4
Pine Grosbeak	8
Purple Finch	17
Red Crossbill	2
White-winged Crossbill	10
Pine Siskin	9
American Goldfinch	189
Woodpecker sp.	1
Finch sp.	4
Total	1422
No. of Species	31
Count Period
Brown Creeper
Northern Shrike

Wild Turkey

Total numbers were down from the previous 5-year average.  The last 5 years average is 1812 and this year we counted 1422.  The weather and the recent storm would certainly account for that.  We did not get as many species either; 31 compared to a 5-year average of 36.  The general paucity of finches would account for that.  We got very few, just a sprinkling of crossbills, purple finches and pine grosbeaks.  There is an abundant cone crop and other natural food sources so finches should move into the area later this winter.  No raptors were seen except a good population of Bald Eagles (5).  A surprise was the 3 Wild Turkeys found in Bear Island.  According to locals there has been a flock hanging around for several months.  See photos above.

There is a healthy population of Black-capped Chickadees, European Starlings and American Goldfinches.  The number of Rock Pigeons is down (148).  The average is about 200.  It seemed that they were all concentrated in mostly areas where there was cattle and they could get into an area that was somewhat warm.  Active farms are decreasing in numbers and that would cause a decrease in numbers of pigeons, starlings and crows.  I was surprised at the numbers of Ravens.  I felt that because of the recent storm it was easier for the large birds to become active, hence better numbers of crows, ravens, eagles, etc.

White-tailed Deer

Belted Galloway Cattle

Doing a Christmas Bird Count is hard work but it has many benefits.  It is fun to be out early to see what birds and nature in general are doing.  The deer pictured above were far away but the sun was shining on them up a large rising field.  They did not spook because they were far enough away to be safe.  The Belted Galloway Cattle shown above were in a field near the road enjoying the sunshine.  This breed is not common in New Brunswick and made a nice photo in the brilliant sunshine.

The Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count is one of more than 50 done in New Brunswick each year between December 14 and January 4.  Many people participate and the data are accumulated nationally and combined with similar data from the US for analysis by experts.  The Mactaquac count has been done for many years by loyal participants and a few new recruits.  Many thanks to all!


[I would like to acknowledge the loss in 2019 of two of our stalwart birders, Shirley Sloat and David Myles.  Both were faithful participants in the Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count probably since its inception.  David was the compiler for many years.  They are sorely missed.]