Dickcissel ©2005 Bill Walker

Bird Study Group - Contest Updates

Second Quarter Results (ending June 30):

Results from the second quarter of 2005 are in! 272 species had been seen or heard by 40 reporting competitors by June 30, a big leap forward from the 122 species seen by March 31.

Link to spreadsheet of birds seen

Many of the competitors devoted a lot of their leisure time to birding and eight competitors had recorded over 200 species by mid-year. Thirty birders averaged at least one outing per week, eight were out twice a week or more and competition leaders Bernard and Therese Goulet averaged over 4 outings per week. Excellent sharing of information on sightings of unusual species, and the spirit of friendly competition, acted as a spur to Calgary birders to enjoy the great birding our region has to offer.

Competitors going out 44 or more times during the first-half of the year qualified as "Eagles". This group was led by Bernard and Therese Goulet, with 240 species seen in 116 outings. The "Robins", those making 31-43 outings, were led by Mike Mulligan, with 225 species observed in 40 outings. Dick and Lenora Flynn led the "Sparrows" (11-30 outings) with 186 species seen in 27 outings.

Results from the competition are of great value in evaluating the status of the bird species of the Calgary region. Twenty-five of the 46 species considered "Rare" on our checklist have been seen this year, as well as eight "Accidentals". Only ten species whose status in the region's checklist is not considered "Rare" had not been recorded by any competitor by mid-year. The following table summarizes the situation:

Dickcissel ©2005 Cliff Hansen

The eight Accidentals recorded were: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Vaux's Swift, Western Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Blackburnian Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Dickcissel, this last species being a new addition to the region's checklist. It was seen at a feeder in Exshaw in early June by many local birders.

The 25 Rare species observed were: Cackling Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Gyrfalcon, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Western Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Sabine's Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Northern Hawk Owl, Short-eared Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, Steller's Jay, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Nashville Warbler, Brewer's Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bobolink, Purple Finch and Hoary Redpoll.

The list of ten "missing" species - not considered Rare but not seen by a competitor by June 30 - is as follows: White-tailed Ptarmigan, Pacific Loon, Virginia Rail, Sanderling (*) , Black Swift, Rock Wren (*) , Cape May Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Palm Warbler and Mourning Warbler.

(*) These species have reportedly been seen since June 30.

Fall migration is just beginning and local birders will be looking forward to many memorable birding days ahead. It's not too late to sign-up for the competition, so don't delay, catch the spirit, and enjoy birding in our many beautiful natural areas!

Second quarter results:
Note: In the case of a tie in the number of species seen, contestants are arranged in alphabetical order.

First quarter results -- Second quarter results -- Third quarter results

Links for the 2005 Competition:

Overview -- Rules -- Support docs -- Prizes -- FAQs -- Other Regions