The 125th Christmas Bird Count in Montana

Total Counts Run, Effort, Total Species Found, Four New Species Reported

This year Montana birders completed 31 Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs), which was the same as last year and similar to the average number of counts from the period 115-124 (32).  However, we found a combined total of 153 species this year (Appendix 1), which is the highest recorded from the period 115-124, and an 8.5% increase from the average number found during that period (141). 

The number of individual birds counted (228,125) was 7.5% higher than the preceding average (212,170).  The number of daylight hours spent in the field (effort) was similar (2% higher) to the average during the period 115-124 (Figure 1).                

The number of field participants this year (671) was similar (3% below) the average (693) for the period 115-124 (Figure 2).  

In contrast to field effort, the average feeder-watcher hours this year was 18% lower than the average feeder-watcher hours during the during the period 115-124. 

Finding slightly more species (153) and slightly more individual birds with average field effort, and below average feeder-watcher effort likely reflects combinations of early scouting and efficient coverage of circles on count day, as well as good visibility and relatively easy walking (less deep snow cover), and probably more open water in the field on count day.

Four new species were recorded this year:  Bonaparte’s Gull (1 from Bigfork, photos in eBird), Great Black-backed Gull (1 from Helena, photos in eBird.  This species was previously a count week bird (CW, defined as 3 days before and 3 days after a count day) from Fort Peck during CBC # 115.  CW species are recorded, but do not contribute toward a count or state total number.  Williamson’s Sapsucker was recorded on 2 circles, 1 each at Bozeman (photos in eBird from before and after count day, but also recorded on count day), and Yellowstone National Park.  The latter was actually in the Wyoming portion of the circle, so that record would not count as being found in Montana.  Last, a Black-throated Gray Warbler was also found on the Yellowstone National Park count, in the Montana portion near Gardiner (Appendix 1).  These 4 new species bring Montana’s total cumulative bird list to 224.  Recall that we lost a species last year when the 2 former redpoll species were combined into 1 species.

We had a whopping 24 species found on just 1 count this year, which contributed to our high (153) overall total species found this year (Table 1). 

Table 1.  Birds found on single counts and not count week elsewhere, Montana Christmas Bird Count #125.

We found 3 species during the various CWs and not on any count day:  Glaucous-winger Gull (Fort Peck), Great Gray Owl (Kalispell), and Spotted Towhee (at Lewistown and Troy).

Bigfork again tallied the most species (88), with Helena and Ninepipe NWR tied at 86.  The only other count > 80 was Missoula (81).  Bigfork’s 88 was well short of their previous high, which is the state record of 98 (CBC #118).  The average number of birds seen this year was 52, which was 7% above the average (49) for the period 115-124.  Counts with high species totals generally have high habitat diversity including open water, as well as many skilled observers.  Five counts had 27 or fewer species this year, which is relatively normal for our low-numbered counts.

Missoula again had the highest number of birders—94 field participants and 13 Feeder-watchers for a combined total of 107people.  No other counts topped 100.  Stevensville had the next highest combined total (72), 38 field participants and 34 feeder-watchers.  Bozeman had the 2nd highest number of field participants (57) followed by Helena (51).  The average number of field participants was 22.  Nine counts had fewer than 10 field participants (fewest = 2 participants on 1 count).

Widespread Species

Bald Eagle was again the most widespread species, found on all 31 counts, totaling 1098 birds.  The high number of Bald Eagles was 108 at Kalispell, the low was 1 bird at Bowdoin NWR.  The average number of Bald Eagles found was 35.  Bald Eagle numbers and birds per party hour (the metric to standardize data to compare information between years) have steadily increased since the late 70s, with the banning of pesticides coupled with increased habitat and nest-site conservation.  Bald Eagle metrics have remained generally at or near record highs since CBC #111 (Figure 3).

Two species were found on 30 counts each:  Mallard (but not recorded from Upper Swan Valley); and Black-billed Magpie (but not recorded from Libby).  Canada Goose was found on 28 counts and 1 CW circle (Upper Swan Valley), so 29 counts were represented; the species was not found on Quigley and Bowdoin NWR.

Most Numerous Species

Species with high numbers this year were also species whose numbers can fluctuate widely from year to year.  Canada Goose was the most numerous species this year (73,625 birds), while the last 2 years totaled around 40,000 birds each.  Canada Goose birds per party hour this year was 51% higher than the average birds per party hour from the period from CBC #91-#124 (Figure 4).

Mallard was the 2^nd most numerous species (45,649 birds).  This year’s Mallard birds per party hour was 32% above the average from the period CBC #45-#124, and much higher since CBC #115 (Figure 5).  

European Starling was the only other species over 10,000 birds (10,924).  European Starling birds per party hour this year was below but fairly near to the average birds per party hour from the period CBC # 41-#124 (Figure 6).  Starling birds per party hour has fluctuated near this average fairly consistently since the late 1960s

Species that Vary Widely Between Years.

Bohemian Waxwing numbers and birds per party hour vary widely each year, showing steep spikes and deep valleys (Figure 7).  This year, Bohemian Waxwing numbers and birds per party hour were similar to last year—both were record lows that were 81-82% lower than the preceding average birds per party hour (Figure 7).  Bohemian Waxwings may be wintering closer to their summer breeding range, that is, they may be remaining north of Montana during winter.

Similar to Bohemian Waxwing, House Sparrow birds per party hour was well below their preceding average, which was also the case last year (a 38% decrease this year, Figure 8).  Unlike Bohemian Waxwings, House Sparrow metrics have fluctuated more closely around their average birds per party hour (that is, smaller peaks and valleys) since the 1980s (Figure 8). 

This year, I noticed that Snow Goose numbers were the highest ever reported (64 birds); some years have no detections.  I wondered if the species was perhaps short-stopping, or showing more wintering birds farther north than during past decades.  From our data, that does not appear to be the case (Figure 9).  More years of data will help inform this question.

Mourning and Eurasian Collared-Dove Numbers

Mourning Dove birds per party hour was similar to last year, and Eurasian Collared-Dove was slightly higher than last year’s number (Figure 10).  Mourning Dove values remain higher than during the period of the late 1940s through the 1990s.  Perhaps Eurasian Collared-Dove numbers are flattening out after an initial spike from 2001-2017.

Owls

This year we found only 6 owl species (and 1 CW species) of our 13 potential winter owl species.  Great Horned Owl was the most widespread (75 birds from 20 counts and 1 CW at Lewistown).  Northern Pygmy-Owl (29 birds) was found on 12 counts and 2 CW sites (Stevensville and Bozeman).  Long-eared Owl was found on 4 counts and totaled 21 birds; 14 were from Ninepipe alone.  Northern Saw-whet Owl was found on 3 counts, and totaled 6 birds.  One Northern Hawk Owl was found on 1 count—Glacier National Park.  Short-eared Owl was tallied from only 1 count with 5 birds (Ninepipe) and 2 CW birds at Helena and Kalispell.   Great Gray Owl was CW at Kalispell.  Species missed include Snowy Owl, Western and Eastern Screech-Owls, American Barn Owl (a few records), Barred Owl, and occasionally, Boreal Owl. 

Gulls

This year’s gull tally was high, with 8 gull species plus a 9^th CW species.  Count day birds included Bonaparte’s, Short-billed, Ring-billed, California, Herring, Iceland (includes Thayer’s), Glaucous, and Great Black-backed Gull.  Glaucous-winged Gull was found CW at Fort Peck.

Other Unusual Species

Other unusual species not already mentioned include the following:  One Greater Whie-fronted Goose was found at Bozeman, and CW at Hamilton.  Three Ruby-crowned Kinglets were found, 1 each at Helena, Missoula, and Three Forks.  This species generally overwinters in the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys, but has been reported only once before in Helena (CBC #123) and never at Three Forks.  Five Western Bluebirds were found at Helena, and 1 each Mountain Bluebird was found at Billings, Helena, and Three Forks.  Bluebirds have only recently been somewhat regular on our counts, especially at Helena.  No bluebird species had been recorded at Three Forks until this year; Billings had 1 MOBL on CBC#47.  Our most expected Warbler—Yellow-rumped—was found at Bigfork and Nineipe (1 bird each).  One Common Yellowthroat was found at Helena, and CW at Ninepipe.  Yellow-headed Blackbirds were found at Bigfork and Helena (1 bird each).  This species can overwinter, but finding 1 is like looking for a needle in a blackbird haystack.  Two Canyon Wrens were found, 1 each at Ninepipe and Stevensville.  The species is a permanent resident in appropriate habitat, but it takes quite a bit of effort to find the individuals that may occur in a count circle.   

Thanks to all of our participants, and see you again next year.

Appendix 1.  Species (153) and numbers tallied during Montana CBC #125

Photos

Black-throated Gray Warbler, photographed on count day (22 Dec 2024) by Katy Duffy at Gardiner, MT, Yellowstone National Park CBC #125

Williamson’s Sapsucker, photographed (18 Dec 2024) after count day but found on count day (and before), Byran Butler, Bozeman CBC #125