relatively good visibility for counting so the count was held as scheduled on Boxing Day. Counting conditions were fairly brisk in the open and snow depth of 30+ cm (12"+) limited access to some sites. The sighting of an Osprey and Brant near Point Prim as well as 110 Lapland Longspur were among the day’s highlights. In mid-

, afternoon, a bank of cloud heralded the arrival in the southeast area of the circle the snow that had been forecast. By the time of the evening pot-luck at Robin Phillips, Dan McAskill, and family’s home, the Hillsborough counters had seen 5 7 species on the count day. Carol Ann Corner’s sighting of a quite rare species, the Eastern Towhee, during the count week period (three days before and three days after the count day - these species are designated CW in the table below) brought the total species to 58.

The annual Christmas Bird Count for the Montague area was held Saturday, December 30 . The day was calm and pleasant with a darkness in the western sky hinting of the snow that was forecasted for the night. Bird counters expected to see more unusual sightings than last year because the warm fall and plentiful available food enticed birds to stay on the Island longer than usual during their migration. The hedgerows were heavy with mountain ash berries, rose hips and wild apples and so counters were not surprised to see robins but Gary Schneider’s group was amazed at a flock of more than four hundred sighted in the Georgetown area. When the Montague count was started, in the early 1980s, it was unusual to see a bald eagle, this year eight were sighted in the count area. There were several species of sparrows sighted that are usually spring and summer birds including chipping sparrows, white-throated sparrows, swamp sparrows and even one savannah sparrow. Several hawks, falcons and northern Shrike were seen, many at backyard feeders, waiting for an easy snack to fly by. All in all 66 species were recorded, up from 58 in 1999. The number of birds sighted was down very slightly from last year. Most counters said that by 12:30 pm. the birds were getting scarce. They might have been sensing the snow that was on the way. Thanks to everyone who participated including the nineteen feeder watchers and the nine teams out counting. If you are interested in next year’s Montague count please call Ruth Richman at 583 -2674 to get on the list . Those interested in the Hillsborough and National Park counts should contact Dan McAskill at 569-4351 or at nhspei@isn.net

The Montague counters achieved an all time Island record for the Christmas Bird Counts with an impressive 66 species. In total, all the counters in the three areas recorded 83 species on the count day and 1 additional species during the count week period. A spectacular number of European Starlings flying out from

. under their Hillsborough bridge roost swelled the total birds seen in the three count areas to 40,772. This

compares to a total of 28,190 birds of 81 species seen in the 1999-2000 winter counts and the 22,654 birds of 67 species seen in the 1998-1999 CBCs.

The reports for each area are provided below.

Observatlona Number ln Count Area Observations Number In Count Area Natlonal Park Hlllaborough Montague Total Natlonal Park Hlllsborouah Montague Total Dec. 16, 2000 Dec.28, 2000 Doc, 30' 2000 Dec. 16. 2000 Dec.26. 2000 Dec. 30, 2000

Common Loan 1 1 Common Merganaer 159 265 282 686 Great Cormorant ‘ a a Red-breasted Memanaer 1 174 115 Cormorant ap. 1s - Osprey 1 1 Great Blue Heron 1 1 1 a Bald Eagle 12 12 9 33 Brant 20 20 Northam Harrler 4 2 5 Canada Geese 169 71 1a 258 Sharp-ahlnned Hawk 2 2 6 10 Green-wlnged Teal 4 4 Northern Goahawk 3 3 American Black Duck 744 548 1021 2313 Broad-wine“! Hawk 1 1 Mallard 15 17 22 54 Red-tailed Hawk 2 1 2 5 Blue-wlnged Teal 2 2 Rough-legged Hawk 3 2 7 Gadwell 1 1 Merlln 1 1 2 Northern Plntall 5 5 Gyrfalcon 1 1 Rlng-necked Duck 1 1 Hawk spp 2 - Ducks UID 19 . Gray Partrldga 25 25 15 85 Common Elder 1 1 RIng-necked Pheasant 3 3 Harlequln a 3 Rufted Grouse 9 3 17 Long-tailed Duck (Oldsquaw) 76 1 206 233 Rina-bllled GD" 2 1 12 15 Black Sector 35 35 Herring Gull 141 88 432 661 Whlte-wlnged Sector 7 7 Iceland Gull 5 a 5 19 Common Goldenaye 306 406 416 1128 Great Black-backed Gull 214 46 65 315 Barrow'a Goldeneye 1 1 Gull spp. 322 27 -

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‘01)de Morganser 1 1 Black Gulllemont 4