Page 12 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Winter Issue 2022

50th Year for Miramichi Christmas Bird Counts

By Pam Watters and Dave McLeod, Nature Miramichi

Three Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) organized by
Nature Miramichi took place recently – the Red
Bank/Sunny Corner CBC on December 18, the Miramichi
CBC on December 19, and the New Jersey/Neguac CBC on
January 3.
These counts are done each year between December 14
and January 5 in an established 24 km diameter circle. The
results are submitted to a New Brunswick provincial
coordinator, and entered into the Birds Canada/Audubon
database of Christmas Bird Counts. This data helps to assess
the health of bird populations and make decisions on
conservation efforts.
Over 5,000 birds of 42 species were observed on the
three CBCs. This was the 50th year for the Miramichi CBC
so it was fitting that we recorded 4,080 birds which is the
highest number to date!
Huge numbers of Bohemian Waxwings were observed
on the Miramichi CBC, including a flock of 700 observed in
the Newcastle area. These beautiful birds are a species which
are found in our area during the winter months, while most
of their relatives, the Cedar Waxwings, head for warmer
temperatures down south. Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings
Above: A Barred Owl was observed this year for the first time in look very much alike, but Bohemian Waxwings have
the New Jersey/Neguac CBC. Photo by Aldo Dorio.
brownish undertail coverts while those of Cedar Waxwings
are cream-coloured.
Because there was still open water for the Miramichi and
New Jersey/Neguac counts, several species of waterfowl
were observed including Canada Geese, American Black
Duck, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-
breasted Merganser and Lesser Scaup (first time this species
was recorded on the Miramichi CBC). Of course, there were
also many Mallards observed on count day in Miramichi!
Mallards were never recorded on the Miramichi CBC until
2005 when 5 were observed, and they have since been
steadily on the increase.
Raptors were well represented on the CBCs by Sharp-
shinned Hawks and Bald Eagles. In addition, a Northern
Goshawk, a Cooper’s Hawk, and a Peregrine Falcon were
observed during the count period in Miramichi. This was the
first time in 50 years that we recorded a Peregrine Falcon
during the CBC count period. A Northern Harrier was
observed during the count period for the first time on the New
Jersey/Neguac CBC.
Other nice sightings on the New Jersey/Neguac CBC
include a Northern Shrike seen on count day and a Barred
Owl seen during the count period - the first time a Barred
Above: A Cooper’s Hawk was recorded during the count period in Owl was observed on this CBC.
Miramichi. Photo by Peter Gadd. There are many lovely winter finches around this year.
The most numerous finches observed were American

12 www.GiverMiramichi.com Winter 2022