Bigfork Christmas Bird Count breaks all-time record

The 51st annual Bigfork Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, Dec. 14. Thirty-one volunteer participants counted 25,555 individual birds of 88 species. The number of birds broke the all-time record of the previous high total of 24,344, and the number of species increased by 10 from last year.

“It probably has something to do with the mild weather and open water,” organizer Craig Hohenberger noted. 

The count took place under foggy and cloudy skies with calm conditions. Snow depths were variable, with most areas in the valley largely snow-free. At the eastern edge of the count circle, snow depths ranged from 0-12 inches. Temperatures ranged from 32-43 degrees Farenheit. Shallow lakes and ponds were mostly frozen, but Flathead Lake and River were ice-free. 

One new bird species, a Bonaparte’s Gull, was found on this year’s bird count. Highlights included a Snow Goose, Cackling Goose, Double-crested Cormorant, Ruddy Duck, Iceland (Thayers) Gull, Long-eared Owl, Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler, and a Yellow-headed Blackbird. 

Notable misses on the Bigfork CBC were Ruffed Grouse, Canada Jay, Red Crossbill, Evening Grosbeak, and Common Redpoll. Species with a high all-time tally this year were Ring-billed Gull, Pine Siskin and Red-winged Blackbird. 

“Thanks to all the devoted participants who helped make the Bigfork CBC count a very enjoyable and a rewarding experience,” Hohenberger wrote in a press release.