CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS ’ 
     
    
   
   
    
     The unusually mild and open weather of fall and early winter this year led many of 
     
     us to expect better than usual results on our annual bird counts. However the 
     
     strong winds and almost complete lack of snow cover made birds hard to spot on both 
     
     the P.E.I. National Park and Hillsborough Counts. 
     
    

    
     The 30 species recorded on the P.E.I. National Park Count was the second 
     
     lowest on record for that count (29 in 1972), and well below the average of 36. 
     
    

    
     The total Of 3,066 individual birds was also somewhat below the 11 — year average 
     
    

    
     Of 4,456. However three species never before recorded on this count were identified 
     
     this year: Common Loon, Glaucous Gull and Rufous-sided Towhee. This brings the 
     
     total of all species seen on this count over the years to 82. Downy Woodpecker 
     
    

    
     was the only species not found this year which had shown up on all ten previous 
     
     counts. 
     
    

    
     0n the Hillsborough Count the 38 species found is above the 12 - year average 
     
     of 35, while the 4,646 individuals is slightly below the 5,014 average. No new 
     
     species were added to the count so the total stands at 77 species. 
     
    

    
     A new count was begun this year in the Montague area, which turned out to be a 
     
     highly successful event. The 37 species and 3,408 birds recorded provide an 
     
     excellent start to what may in future years become an official National Audubon 
     
     Society count. Since this was a first time effort, it was difficult to predict 
     
     what sorts of results to expect. Interestingly, the following species which were 
     
     not found on either the P.E.I. National Park or Hillsborough counts this year, did 
     
     show up on the Montague Count: Greater Scaup, Bald Eagle, Bonaparte's Gull, Lesser 
     
     Black-backed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Black-backed Three-teed Woodpecker, Ruby— 
     
     crowned Kinglet, American Goldfinch and Dark—eyed Junco. The Lesser Black-backed 
     
     Gull is a new species for the provincial checklist. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Prince Edward Island National Park, P.E.I. 46°23'N 63°08'W, center-0.75 mi. S of 
     
     junction of Routes 25 and 6 on Route 25, to include Rustico, Brackley, Covehead, 
     
     Tracadie and Winter Bays, those areas north of Sherwood and West Royalty, as well 
     
     as Harrington, North Milton, Milton Station and Cymbria, also Gulf of St. Lawrence 
     
     between Rustico Island and Blooming Point; elevation 0 to 200 ft. 
     
    

    
     Dec. 18, 1982; 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A.M.: overcast, intermittent Snow. P.M.: 
     
     overcast, intermittent snow. Temp. 18° to 26° F. Wind N, 15-35 m.p.h. Snow cover 
     
     0 to 1 in. Fresh water partly frozen. Salt water partly frozen. Wild food crop 
     
     poor. » 
     
    

    
     Thirteen observers, in 5 parties. Total party hours, 29% (7% on foot, 18 3/4 by 
     
     car, 3% stationary). Total party miles, 343 (9 on foot, 334 by car). 
     
    

    
     Total species 30; about 3066 individuals. 
     
    

    
     Participants: Winifred Cairns (compiler), Rosemary 
     
     Curley, Geoff Hogan, Winston Johnston, Norah Longworth, 
     
     Gerald MacDonald, Joyce MacLeod, Dan McAskill, Rose- 
     
     mary Proctor, Julie Singleton, Sue Stephenson, Jane 
     
     Symmes and John Wright. 
     
    

    
     Thanks to all participants, plus Danny McAskill and 
     
     especially to Rosemary Proctor for hosting the pot- 
     
     luck supper. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
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     Editor's Note: Non-metric units are used here to 
     
     report Christmas Bird Count results in order to con— 
     
     form to requirements of the National Audubon Society 
     
     of New York. 
     
    
   
   
    
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