Visiting Idahoans join in the fun during this year's Christmas bird count

On Wednesday, Dec. 28, 12 birders, some from as far away as Boise, wandered a 7 ½ mile radius from downtown Bonners Ferry to join in the 117th Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Their goal was to count as many birds as they could see or hear within the given area.

This year they received additional help from four individuals who counted the birds at their home bird feeders or reported additional sightings in their yard.

Starting at the break of dawn and going until just before sunset, the birders covered 286 miles looking and listening. They searched not just bird feeders and bushes, but also tree tops and open water areas. Their efforts located 4,032 birds representing 62 species. The most counted birds were Mallard Ducks at the Refuge, followed by the Common Raven. The birders did find the count of Dark-eyed Junco’s had increased this year, with the group locating 383 more than last year. However, the lonely Blue Jay, Pileated Woodpecker, and Northern Pintail were not passed up.

The Northern Goshawk is not a rare bird for this area, but is a rare sight. One group was lucky enough to capture a glimpse of one as it sat in a tree spanning the field for a snack. Surprisingly a flock of 25 Western Meadowlark are wintering at the refuge. A group also spotted a Red-breasted Nuthatch trying to get a Pygmy Owl to move out of its territory. It’s method was not working.

Even though the day was sunny, the wind and cold kept the birds in hiding. Still, every bird counted helps scientists, who use the data collected in order to track the birds change in winter range.

Thank you to everyone who participated. We look forward to more folks joining the group next year. Email bfbirdcount@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the list and notified when the next count happens. Until then, please keep your feeders filled to help our feathered friends through the winter snows.