2022 May Bird Count
The first annual Edmonton May Bird Count was a great success thanks to everyone who participated!
All the birds we expect to find in the Edmonton area at the end of May were accounted for and there were some surprises too! We counted a total of 189 identified species and 21,553 individual birds. (An additional 12,176 birds, mostly gulls, were counted and identified to species group.)
The first annual Edmonton May Bird Count was a great success thanks to everyone who participated!
All the birds we expect to find in the Edmonton area at the end of May were accounted for and there were some surprises too! We counted a total of 189 identified species and 21,553 individual birds. (An additional 12,176 birds, mostly gulls, were counted and identified to species group.)
Our top 3 commonly seen species were:
#1 Red-winged Blackbird, 2139 reported on 128 checklists
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#2 Ring-billed Gull, 1970 reported on 41 lists
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#3 Canada Goose, 1755 on 106 checklists
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"Top 3" photos by Wayne Oakes, all in Edmonton's Whitemud Park.
Participants used a variety of strategies on the Count weekend. This is the best way to get the entire spectrum of species we’re trying to record.
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Some folks stayed home to count their yard birds. Here’s a Yellow-rumped Warbler Melissa Penney counted in her Edmonton nature-friendly yard.
photo Melissa Penney 
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Some headed outside the more urban areas for open country birds. This Mountain Bluebird was recorded by Ann Carter west of Stony Plain.
photo Ann Carter 
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Other participants visited specific areas to look for difficult birds. These birds may require a special habitat, or may be secretive in nature generally or because they’re nesting.
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A few species were just arriving. Rick Hughes was the only person to record an Olive-sided Flycatcher. He explored the Bruderheim Natural Areas.
photo Rick Hughes 
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Vince Cottrell found Ring-necked Pheasant as he checked farmlands south of Edmonton in the zone designated as 5. .
-photo Vincent Cottrell 
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Lakes and wetlands received lots of attention as many species use those habitats. Chris Rees counted a White-winged Scoter. -photo by Vivek Dabral
There were a few folks who lucked into rare finds. Birds may be rare because of the location, or the time of year, or because they are here in very small numbers. Those unexpected birds include, but are not limited to, the Common Redpoll (winter resident) seen by Gerald Romanchuk and Steve Knight the Loggerhead Shrike (usually in Southern Alberta) found by Marnie and Sean Evans, and the Lazuli Bunting (occurs in Southern Alberta) which was visiting a feeder, recorded (and photographed) on Count Day by Vivek Dabral.
Many counters don’t take time for photographs or just snap quick record shots when possible, it’s the nature of the event. These shared photos are greatly appreciated!
Red-tailed Hawk, 22 counted-photo by Vincent Cottrell
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Treetop Evening Grosbeak, 15 counted -photo by Ann Carter
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Details for participating in the 2023 Count will be available next spring.