78TH ANNUAL SASKATCHEWAN CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT - 2019 Alan R. Smith 14 cm). As can be seen, there was nine birds on nine counts compared Box 154 little difference in these conditions to only three on three counts in Avonlea SK S0H 0C0 from last year. One difference, 2018-19. [email protected] however, was the prevalence of fog. After decades of growth, the Fog was reported on seven counts range expansion for the introduced The Counts this year as opposed to three last Eurasian Collared-Dove and House Only 74 counts were received year. Finch has come nearly to a halt. The for the 2019-20 count, a most This may have hampered only new CBC localities were Love- concerning decline over last year’s observers especially in the early Torch River for the dove and Estuary 86 and the fewest since 1984. There morning hours. North for the finch. are a number of possible reasons Numbers of the subarctic-nesting for this. Human demographics may The Birds Common Redpoll were down again play a role as aging rural populations The 126,813 birds counted was with only 557 birds on 27 counts and increasing urbanization mean higher than last winter’s 108,164 compared to 3,412 birds on 55 that fewer ’ma and pa’ counts are and slightly higher than the century counts in 2018-19 and 14,307 on 78 conducted in the hinterland. On the average of 125,000. This is partly counts in 2017-18. other hand, more and more people due to a record high count of 33,735 Numbers of most other finches are involved in a fewer number of Canada Geese on the Estevan count. were either down or near normal in counts conducted in or near larger The 98 species recorded on count numbers. There were, however, a urban centers. day was about average for the couple exceptions. In a rare reversal Another factor is technological, as century, while the average number of the norm, the Red Crossbill was I have the suspicion that I may have of species per count at 19.1 was the more common and widespread than inadvertently deleted a small number highest since 2012 with its record the White-winged Crossbill with 92 of emailed counts. If you sent me high of 19.4. birds on seven counts versus seven a count that does not appear in For the third time in the past four white-wings on two counts. Gray- this report, please send me a copy years, Gardiner Dam won the crown crowned Rosy-Finches were also (hopefully you still have one) and I for the most species at 45. The more in evidence with 29 birds at six will ensure that your results will be runner-up was Saskatoon with 40 localities; this species is usually found included in our long-term database. species. in only one or two localities a year. The bottom line is that while the total number of counts was down Population Trends Rarities by 14 per cent, the number of Waterfowl were generally found The Pacific Loon was a new observers was only down by four per in normal numbers, except for new species for the CBC bringing the cent; this supports the contention provincial highs for Canada Geese all-time total to 192 species. A that urbanization is at least partially and Common Goldeneye (Table 6). few other rarities of note were a responsible for the decline in the Most raptors were generally seventh Double-crested Cormorant overall number of counts conducted. at or below normal numbers this at Gardiner Dam and a 10th record of winter. Exceptions were the Northern Northern Cardinal at Prince Albert. The Weather Goshawk and Gyrfalcon, which Average minimum and maximum staged minor incursions into the Note: for purposes of temperatures for the count period southern portion of the province. Saskatchewan Counts as published (with 2018-19 records in brackets) Twenty-eight goshawks were herein, the count period extends were -11 to -6 C (-10 to -5 C), wind recorded on 20 counts compared from 14 December to 5 January; speeds 8 to 16 km/h (8 to 19 km/h), to 16 on 14 counts last winter. Audubon counts include only those and snow depths 5 to 12 cm (6 to Respective numbers for gyrs were species recorded three days prior to 14 BLUE JAY SUMMER 2020 VOLUME 78.2 and after the count day. Tangedal. Count Areas and Participants 11. CHURCHBRIDGE A. Elin Johnson, 18. DENHOLM. Beverly Beland, Gerard (names of compilers are in Ron Johnson. Beland, Linda Beland, Orval Beland. italics) 12. CHURCHBRIDGE B. Dennis 19. DORINTOSH. Vicky Pryor, Joe 1. ARCHERWILL. Sharron Carlson, Petracek. Twidale, Lorraine Twidale, Tim Wahl. Gerald Hiron, Susan Hiron, Audrey Hnetka, Perry Hnetka, Elaine Hughes, 13. CLARK’S CROSSING. Dale 20. DUVAL. Greg Cutchey, Lloyd Saul. Dorothy Klettberg, Willie Klettberg, Booth, Dave Cook, Louise Cook, Jess Annette Kozak. Cosentino, Ana Diaz, Lorne Duczek, 21 E. B. CAMPBELL DAM. Bert Dalziel, Shelly Fisher, Daniel Giesbrecht, Glen Joan Dalziel, Sara Dalziel, Richard 2. AVONLEA. Randi Edmonds, Alan Giesbrecht, Bob Godwin, Dawn Douslin, Ryan Dudragne, Stan Shadick, Smith, Blaine Sudom, Graham Hall, Marilyn Haskins, Ron Jensen, Bill Weighill, Clara Weighill. Thomson. Robert Johanson, Carson Kearns, Gwen Klypak, Heney Klypak, LeeAnn 22. EASTEND. Loraine Armstrong, 3. BALGONIE. Jared Clarke, Jeff Latremouille, Brian McGill, Janine Roxie Binkley, Duane Bristow, Gamble, Ken Feltin, Keith Hay, Fran McManus, Joe Monahan, Lynn Kevin Bristow, Cynthia Fehr, Robert Kerbs, Maureen Lee, Kristen Martin, Oliphant, John Patterson, Al Scholz, Gebhardt, June Higgins, Joan Brett Quiring, Dan Sawatzky, Mary Jan Shadick, Stan Shadick, Rhonda Hodgson, Harvey Johnson, Heidi Worel, Doreen Yurkoski. Shewfelt, Marten Stoffel, Stookey, Topham, Jack Wilkinson. Guy Wapple, Diane Wells, Michael 4. BIGGAR. Dale Booth, Mary-Jo Williams. 23. EBENEZER. Ronan Koziy, Kenn Danychuk, Ryan Dudragne, Sheila Wood, Sarah Wood Jezowski, Murray Newton, Mark 14. CRAVEN. Hiroyuki Aoki, Brian Pickett, Monika Slowski, Guy Wapple, Armstrong, Stephane Canevet, 24. ESTEVAN. Barry Dies, Marilyn Dies, Marguerite Wapple, Rob Wapple. Joel Cherry, Blanche Cooper, Jim Gary Leslie, Craig Palmer, Larry Preddy, Cummings, Stephen Davis, Elaine Reid Walton, Rose Walton, Guy 5. BIRCH HILLS. Margaret Mareschal, Ehman, Chris Harris, Trevor Herriot, Wapple, Sandra Wapple. Maurice Mareschal. Louise Holloway, Phil Holloway, Bonnie Huculak, Laurie Koepke, Lauretta Lane, 25. ESTUARY NORTH. Cathy Cocks, 6. BORDEN-RADISSON. Jade Allard, Bob Luterbach, Barbara Mader, Amelia Dean Francis, Fran Francis. Greg Fenty, Kyron Giroux, Ron Jensen, McDonald, Jaret McDonald, Annie Nick Saunders, Stan Shadick, Joe McLeod, Barry Mitschke, Dave Phillips, 26. FENTON. Carman Dodge. Stookey, Guy Wapple. Rhonda Phillips, Curtis Pollock, Brett Quiring, Susan Rollins, Dan Sawatzky, 27. FLORAL. Guy Wapple. 7. BROADVIEW. Barb Weidl, Don Nick Selinger, Jeanette Taylor, Robb Weidl. Taylor, Rand Teed. 28. FORT QU’APPELLE. Jean Ashcroft, Peter Ashcroft, Shirley Hart Carol 8. CANDLE LAKE. Marie Braaten, 15. CROOKED LAKE. Boyd Metzler. Horsman, Don Horsman, Stewart Gwen Klebeck, Bea Kolbialko, John Klyne, Jack Lowe, Marg Lowe, Lundgren, Vicki St. Germaine, Warren 16. CROOKED RIVER. Karl Mehler, Alan Mlazgar, Denise Mlazgar, St. Germaine. Margaret Mehler, Morley Mehler. Keith Stephens, Kim Stephens, Ted Stevenson, Colette Stushnoff, Richard 9. CATER: Beverly Beland, Orval 17. CYPRESS HILLS PROVINCIAL PARK Stushnoff, Dave Sutherland. Beland. (Centre Block). Caitlin Arnal, Dwight Dobson, Nancy Dobson, David Larson, 29. GARDINER DAM. Ryan Dudragne, 10. CHATSWORTH. Herb Cross, Jean Margaret Larson, Melody Nagel-Hisey, Greg Fenty, Maxine Forsberg, Ron Cross, Charles Dyck, Donna Dyck, Alison Nagy, Royce Pettyjohn, Darcy Jensen, Nick Saunders, Stan Shadick, Robert Mess, Wyonna Mess, George Perrin, Jerry Perrin, Annette Schwazer, Marten Stoffel, Joe Stookey, Guy Murray, Laurie Murray, Kerri Rooke, Brenda Sunde, Melvin Sunde, Aaron Wapple. Stewart Rooke, Carol Tangedal, Tony Sulz, Jill Sulz. SUMMER 2020 VOLUME 78.2 BLUE JAY 15 30. GOOD SPIRIT LAKE. Joyce Anaka 42. LOVE - TORCH RIVER. Bert 52. OUTLOOK. Graham Thomson. Dorothy Riesz, Ray Riesz. Dalziel, Joan Dalziel, Sara Dalziel, Scott Edwards, Andrea Fisher, Harold 53. PIKE LAKE. Hadi Asgari, Nick 31. GRAYSON. Jack Carrigan, Carina Fisher, Taren Fisher, Adrik Kurbis, Belliveau, Sara Brison, Donna Helm, Charles Helm, Daniel Helm, Coulter Kurbis, Duane Kurbis, Renee Bruce, Dave Cook, Louise Cook, Linda Helm, Jeanette Zimmer, Karl Kurbis, Eileen L’Heureux, Audrey Lorne Duczek, Ryan Dudragne, Zimmer. Schrader, Eric Schrader, Leonard Mary Jane Eley, Joan Feather, Alex Turtle. Fisher, Bob Godwin, Janet Hill, 32. GRENFELL. Ethel Reiger, Barb Bob Howe, Irene Howe, Shirley Weidl, Don Weidl. 43. LUSELAND. Maxine Butler, Kelly Humphries, Greg Hutchings, Erin Cotter, Estelle Finley, Graeme Finley, Lang, LeeAnn Latremouille, Greg 33. HARRIS. Ryan Dudragne, Ron Kim Finley, Liam Finley, Valerie Finley. Lawrence, Marilyn Leuty, Rod Luety, Jensen, Bruce Trapp, Guy Wapple, Audrey MacKenzie, Bill MacKenzie, Rob Wapple. 44. MELFORT. Bert Dalziel, Joan Janine McManus, Kathy Meeres, Dalziel, Gordon Dodds, Susan Merhnaz Mikhchian, Joe Monahan, 34. HAZLET. Ryan Dudragne. Dodds, Emily Eskowich, Kim John Patterson, Marc Sabourin, Eskowich, Wendy Eskowich, Darlene Monica Salles, Nick Saunders, Nicola 35. INDIAN HEAD. Ron Chambers, Thompson. Schaefer, Joe Stookey, Louisa Stuglin, Mike Duran, Irvin Escott, David Gehl, Stephan Stuglin, Moriah Tanguay, Roberta Gehl, Ed Haid, Edith Haid, 45. MOOSE JAW. Chris Harris, Guy Wapple, Adrian Werner, Dwight Jim Jinks, Linda Jinks, Linda Kort, Bob Luterbach, Jeff Mander, Brett Young, Nancy Young. Dan Loran, Bruce Neil, Dora Nichols, Quiring, Ed Rodger, Dan Sawatzky. Laurie Norman, Laura Poppy, Brian 54. PONTEIX. Ryan Dudragne. Scott, Glenn Scott, Lorne Scott, 46. MOOSE MOUNTAIN. Bill Fletcher, Fred Skinner, C. Skinner, Joan Taylor, Dorothy Fletcher, Doyle Thomas, Val 55. PRINCE ALBERT. Doug Braaten, Donna Thompson, Rebeca Ward, Thomas. Marie Braaten, Ffion Cassidy, Kim Elaine Williamson. Clark, Shamara Clark, Bert Dalziel, 47. MORSE. Elizabeth Enns, Jon Joan Dalziel, Carman Dodge, 36.