On May 30 and May 31 2026, the Edmonton Nature Club's yearly May Species Count was held.
The main count days were cut in half by excess rain and wind on the Sunday. A great effort was put in on Saturday by Andy R. (first list came in at 1:29 AM) to bump up the species list. Over the course of the weekend we tallied 18 more bird species and included 19 more eBird reports than last year, in spite of the weather!
Participants reported 171 bird species on 129 checklists on count weekend.
The count identified 5 species not reported on previous counts bringing the total (over 5 years) to 216 species.
The main count days were cut in half by excess rain and wind on the Sunday. A great effort was put in on Saturday by Andy R. (first list came in at 1:29 AM) to bump up the species list. Over the course of the weekend we tallied 18 more bird species and included 19 more eBird reports than last year, in spite of the weather!
Participants reported 171 bird species on 129 checklists on count weekend.
The count identified 5 species not reported on previous counts bringing the total (over 5 years) to 216 species.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made our Count a success!
Rock Wren by Zach Greene
New for the Count
Five new species were added to the all-time list including Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Nashville Warbler and Pine Grosbeak along with our highlight species, Rock Wren. Rock Wren is typically found in small numbers in southern Alberta, preferring dry, rocky areas. Link to learn more about this species.
Five new species were added to the all-time list including Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Nashville Warbler and Pine Grosbeak along with our highlight species, Rock Wren. Rock Wren is typically found in small numbers in southern Alberta, preferring dry, rocky areas. Link to learn more about this species.
As noted prior to Count day, Warbling Vireo has been split into Eastern Warbling Vireo and Western Warbling Vireo. Most of the Warbling Vireos breeding in the Edmonton count circle will be Eastern, however, during migration it could be either. Thanks to Percy Z for including this audio recording with his eBird report, to confirm a Western Warbling Vireo. Link to audio file.
Participants used a variety of strategies on the Count weekend, visiting urban natural areas and city parks or travelling to outlying hotspots in the region. Covering these various habitats helps to get the entire spectrum of species we’re trying to record.
Franklin's Gull by Delores Steinlicht
Notable Numbers
Mallard, Canada Goose, Red-winged Blackbird and Northern Yellow Warbler These birds are ubiquitous throughout the area and well-known by most participants so they are reported on many checklists and in fairly large numbers. Franklin's Gull The highest number of a single species reported at 1,039 birds. |
Barred Owl by Gerald Romanchuk
|
Notable Misses
American Goshawk, Short-eared Owl, Saw-whet owl, Three-toed Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill
Most of these were definitely around, but hard to find or only in specific locations that were not covered this year. Some of them are irruptive species and are simply scarce in some years.
American Goshawk, Short-eared Owl, Saw-whet owl, Three-toed Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill
Most of these were definitely around, but hard to find or only in specific locations that were not covered this year. Some of them are irruptive species and are simply scarce in some years.
Western Meadowlark by Jack Bawden
Peregrine Falcon by Janice Hurlburt
|
Count weekend: 171 species
Count week: 187 species Count week species not seen on the weekend: Black-bellied Plover Long-billed Dowitcher Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Sanderling Baird's Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Black-backed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Philadelphia Vireo Connecticut Warbler Palm Warbler Canada Warbler Most of these week species were seen before the count weekend - by the time the weekend hit, most of the late migrants appeared to have moved on (before the bad weather hit). It was a real shame that the Bar-tailed Godwit, found by Sydney Mohr, wasn't seen the next day. We missed a great first by just one day. |
Northern Shoveler by Ann Carter
|
Checklist per zone:
Z 1. 26 Edmonton and surrounding urban area Z 2. 14 North, Northeast (Opal, Redwater) Z 3. 14 Northeast (Bruderheim, Elk Island) Z 4. 16 Southeast (Beaverhill, Miquelon) Z 5. 37 South, Southeast (Coal Lake, Bittern Lake) Z 6. 8 Southwest (Pigeon Lake, Genesee) Z 7. 8 West (Wabamun) Z 8. 0 Northwest (Lac Ste. Anne, Bilby) Z 9. 6 North, Northwest (Lac La Nonne, Westlock) The zones with less coverage would perhaps have been visited on Sunday if the wet weather had not made road conditions poor. |
Red-necked Grebe (sleeping) by Paul Liu
Cinnamon Teal by Ann Carter
|
Swamp Sparrow by Emily Gorda
|
|
Additional Count details including all the shared checklists may be found at https://ebird.org/tripreport/531788
Annual Comparison
Year #Species #Birds 2026 171 10,804 2025 153 11,622 2024 136 14,192 2023 164 13,556 2022 189 33,729 2025 MBC Results (Results from the previous year.)
|
Barn Swallow at sunrise by Jan Wijmenga
|
Many counters don’t take time for photographs or just snap quick record shots when possible, it’s the nature of the event. It is wonderful to get a glimpse of the bird diversity in the Edmonton area. All shared photos are greatly appreciated!
Canada Goose by Joel Weatherly
Details for participating in the 2027 Count will be available next spring.