The Petroglyphs CBC was held today in blustery winds with heavy snow squalls. 22 participants found 29 species, below our average of 33. No new high counts were obtained, but one all time low of 21 was counted for Blue Jays (our ten year average is 305). Unfortunately it was the second consecutive year we missed the Gray Jays. Of note were: One flock of 40 Bohemian Waxwings, 6 Bald Eagles – 4 adults and 2 1st year birds 2 Mourning Doves – the lowest since they moved north permanently into the area in 1995 514 Black-capped Chickadees – the lowest since 1990 21 White-breasted Nuthatches – the second lowest ever Winter Finches: Purple Finch 1, Red Crossbill 32, White-winged Crossbill 35, Common Redpoll 1, Pine Siskin 167, American Goldfinch 428. I don’t believe the low numbers were only due to the weather, I believe the much reduced use of feeders was the primary cause (the economy?).
Location: Petroglyph Provincial Park and surrounding area
Observer: Tony Bigg and 21 other observers
