(Photo by Shelby Herbert/KFSK)
Petersburg birdwatchers cataloged scores of birds for the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, an annual citizen science stock of birds throughout North America.
As KFSK’s Shelby Herbert stories, the island neighborhood counted probably the most birds in recent reminiscence.
Splinters of daylight pierced the morning mist at Hungry Point, a recreation spot on Petersburg’s northern coast. A flock of scoters bobbed within the surf. They’re giant darkish sea geese with white markings round their faces. Brad Hunter had his recognizing scope skilled on them.
“So, there’s three species of scooters: surf, red wing and black,” mentioned Hunter. “The first two are the most predominant ones we have here — but the black ones are the ones that talk the most. So you know they’re out there because you hear them.”
Hunter didn’t want his refined lens — and even his eyes — to know what forms of birds are round him. He can establish many species within the area by sound alone.
“Actually being able to hear the birds is a huge part of identifying what species are out there,” mentioned Hunter. “Visually seeing them is a big part, of course, but when you hear their call, hear their song — it’s very important.”
…Even when that track will get interrupted by different wildlife. Sea lions intermittently barked over the scoter calls.
Hunter has compiled Mitkof Island’s Christmas Bird Count knowledge for the Audubon Society because the mid-90s. He mentioned the group of a few dozen Petersburg birders had a exceptional stock this yr. Hunter remains to be finalizing the numbers, however by his latest determine, the group tallied slightly over 9,000 birds across the island — and that was all in someday.
“I think it’s interesting,” mentioned Hunter. “It’s notable!”
It’s not simply the amount that has Hunter so excited. The group additionally noticed an distinctive variety of species at this yr’s depend: 61, over their earlier excessive of 57. Hunter mentioned the air was thick with unusual seabirds this yr.
“There’s also some seabirds that are still here,” mentioned Hunter. “We typically do not get Bonaparte gulls on the Christmas Bird Count. But this year, we had quite a few of them.”
He doesn’t know why there have been so many birds out and about this winter. But his finest guess is that recent heat climate may play a component.
“We suspect that some of the birds that would have headed on South if ice had formed, and lakes and ponds were frozen over,” mentioned Hunter. “But they have stayed around longer than normal.”
The local weather sample referred to as El Niño is cycling warmer water through Southeast Alaska. The ensuing unseasonably calm climate can also be making it simpler for Petersburg’s birdwatchers to remain out longer. Hunter mentioned his group has braved a lot worse circumstances for the depend in earlier years.
“We’ve had so many terrible weather days for Christmas Bird Count,” mentioned Hunter. “It’s hard to pick one of them out as the worst… But we’ve had some pretty bad ones where it’s blowing 30, 40, and snowing mixed in with rain. Or the roads are all icy, and deep snow — it can be challenging some years.”
Fair climate or not, Hunter mentioned the depend is necessary to him. And that’s as a result of the info birdwatchers acquire will assist scientists higher perceive how hen populations are altering — and, finally, tips on how to higher defend them. He mentioned the method of studying about regional birds can also be significant to him.
“I just find it interesting, just to keep growing and challenging myself and learning more about them — and especially learning about them around here,” mentioned Hunter. “Some people travel all over the world to see how many species they can find. My challenge to myself is to see how many I can find around home.”
That’s what retains him coming again, yr after yr.
The Audubon Society will finalize its knowledge from the 124th annual Christmas Bird Count on January fifth, 2024.
