Bird Protection Quebec each winter organises two local Christmas Bird Counts, one centred on Montreal and one on Hudson. They cannot be done without the participation of birders like you - for information about them and how to participate, please read on:
Montreal
You can find out more about participating by contacting the co-ordinator, Jeff Harrison by Email at: dha@videotron.ca or by telephone in the evening at: 514-486-4943 after 8:00 PM
The last count was held on - Saturday 20 December 2008 [RESULTS] and the next one will be held on 19 December 2009
Each year on a Saturday, usually between December 15 and 21st, Bird Protection Quebec (BPQ) conducts the Montreal Christmas Bird Count (CBC). We held our first count in 1931, and except for four years, we have held counts every year since.
The idea for organizing Christmas Bird Counts originated at the turn of the 20th century. It was initiated by the American ornithologist, Frank Chapman, who organized groups of friends to go out on one day during the Christmas period. Chapman was looking for a way to counter the annual American Christmas bird “shoot”. This informal event was a popular passtime for hunters who competed with each other to see who could shoot the most birds. In those days all birds were targets and the slaughter amounted to many thousands of birds each year. Instead of shooting the birds Chapman instructed his friends to identify and count all the birds they could find. Chapman succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.
Today migratory birds are protected, annual Christmas “shoots” are a distant memory, and hundreds of day counts are now held across North and Central America during a two week period before and after Christmas. To ensure that the historical records were more likely to include all birds in the census area, “Count Week” birds have been added. These are birds which were recorded up to three days before, and three days after the official count day, but not on the day.
Historical Results:
Historical results from the North American Christmas Bird Counts now provide important long-term baseline data on the population dynamics of many early winter species across the continent. You can view these results by visiting the Audubon Christmas Bird Count website at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/hr/
Local historical bird population trends are also evident in Montreal CBC data which you can view here at the CBC All Species List. There you will find a listing of all species seen on Montreal CBC’s between 1931 and last year. This Table provides information on the first year each species was recorded, the number of years recorded, the record high count, and identifies the record year.
You can find more historical data on our counts by examining the Table entitled Level of Participation 1931 to 2008 which lists the number of participants for each year, the total number of participant hours, and the total number of species recorded each year between 1931 and last year.
The Montreal Count Circle:
Christmas Bird Counts are held within a mandated 24 km. circle. In Montreal this circle is centred at the corner of Sherbrooke Street West and Westminster Avenue in Montreal West. The arc ranges to Chateauguay in the southwest, the St. Lambert Locks in the southeast, Ahunsic in the northeast and Dorval airport and Bois de Liesse in the northwest.
To see a detailed map of our count circle, please click on our Map.
Types of Participation:
If you would like to participate in this years Montreal Christmas Bird Count you can do so either as a Feeder-watcher or Field participant.
Feeder-Watcher:
Since they are already familiar with feeder counts, we are particularly interested in attracting Project Feeder-Watch Participants. However even if you are not already a Project Feeder-Watch participant, and want to get involved, please feel free to participate. There are no entry restrictions. You will find a list of instructions on how to participate by following the link below and you can also download our feeder checklist. There is no charge for being a Feeder-watcher and you do not have to be a member of a bird, nature or environmental group. However since we are entirely a volunteer organization we ask that you ensure first that you reside within our Count Circle. Please examine our map closely.
.... and download a special feederwatcher's checklist here
Field Participant:
Entry Restrictions: There are a few restrictions to becoming a field-participant. All participants must pay a $C5.00 fee which is collected by your group leader. This money is passed on to the National Audubon Society which publishes the results from all the counts and maintains the CBC Website. Normally participants must be members of Bird Protection Quebec. However we are happy to wave that restriction if you are a member of one of the other Quebec Birding Clubs affiliated with AQGO, or if you are member of the Montreal Zoological Society, the Montreal Field-Naturalists Club or the SBM. Information on becoming a BPQ member can be found elsewhere on our Website. The names of all field participants are included in the results published by the National Audubon Society.
New Field Particpants:
If after reading our information, you decide you want to participate, you will be assigned to a group, likely closest to your residential area. It will be led an experienced birder. Each group has an geographical area within the count circle and will fill in the Official Montreal CBC Working Checklist. Most groups start at or near dawn and bird for most of the day. You can find out more about participating by contacting the co-ordinator, Jeff Harrison by Email at: dha@videotron.ca or by telephone in the evening after 8:00 PM at: 514-486-4943.
Last Years Field Participants:
If you participated last year Jeff will be contacting you directly.
After Count Social and Collation:
For over 30 years the Montreal CBC was organized by Felix Hilton. He and his wife Brenda invited all participants to their house in Dorval for an after count social. Felix provided snack food, a chance to meet other participants, and to examine other groups results. BPQ owes Felix and Brenda a huge thanks for their many years of dedication! The tradition continues at another venue, Recently Sheila Arthur's home.
Jeff Harrison
Co-ordinator
View the:
- Official 2009 checklist
- Species list 1931 - 2008
- Level of participations & species totals 1931 - 2008
- Final Montreal CBC list by sector 2008
- Feederwatch checklist
Hudson
The next CBC in the Hudson area will take place on Sunday 3 January 2010
The count takes place in the area shown on this map
Interested in taking part? Then contact the compiler, Alison Bentley at 450-458-8076 or by email at alison.bentley@sympatico.ca.
The Hudson CBC will require about 50-60 keen people in the field, split into 17 different parties. Team leaders from last year will be receiving a list of previous volunteers and are asked to contact them to confirm involvement. We are always looking for new observers; please let me know if you would like to be assigned a group. People who requested a change of route last year should contact me ASAP, so that we can discuss options.
The Count area stretches from Île Perrot west to partway up Mont Rigaud and from Valleyfield north to Oka. There are many different habitats and both walking and driving options are available.
Once the birds have been counted we will meet together to compile the results, eat chili and soup and enjoy each other's company! Contributions of supplementary foodstuffs are always welcome. This year the post count get-together will not be at the Bentley’s as originally intended but at the Kinsman’s at 112 Oakland in Hudson, Tel 450-458-5183..
Please contact Alison Bentley if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.