2016 CBC Summary

2016 Skagway CBC -- Saturday, 17 December

Summary

Count day gave us continuous light snowfall from low clouds with temperatures at sea level rising from the mid 20s(F) to 30(F). The air was calm in Skagway, while a light wind (5mph max) came from the north in Dyea. Flat gray light and occasional patches of fog made seeing at a distance very difficult. Although the day was mild, it followed 2 weeks of temps in the teens with gale force winds, which caused ice to cover creeks, rivers and lakes and patches of skim ice to form nearshore in the saltwater.

We had 19 participants, 5 who drove down from the Yukon for the day. 16 field observers covered 10 field routes, and 5 feeders were watched by 6 people. 31 species were seen on count day, with 3 additional species from count week. Total individual numbers came to 2084, largely due to to a strong influx of Bohemian Waxwings (about 1200).

On the water, species diversity was low - no loons, grebes or murres were seen. Duck species were limited to Bufflehead, Mergansers and Goldeneyes, with Barrow's Goldeneye flagged as a low count of 2. The typical gull species were seen, but Thayer's Gulls total of 17 was a very unusual high count, so a "high count report" was prepared. Marbled Murrelet numbers were about average.

A number of our vacillating winter flocks made a good showing: Bohemian Waxwings, White-winged Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls. Pine Siskins were absent this year. A few hardy American Robins, one Song Sparrow and one White-crowned Sparrow made it through the cold snap. A family of 6 Eurasian Collared-Doves were recorded. This past summer was our first confirmed breeding of EUCD in town.

Just for fun - additional animals recorded by volunteers: rooster, ermine, harbor seals, river otter, and marten.

- Elaine

species list below - for detailed table of results, see "results by year" at bottom

--- view or download a PDF file of any specific year's results from 2003 to present: results by year

--- view or download a PDF file of multiyear summaries of Skagway CBCs: CBC multi-year results by decade