Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count 2024: A look at our local winter birds
A stunning view from the MBTCS nest box in Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count Area #38, overlooking the Oldman River on a beautiful Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Lethbridge, Alberta.
On a picturesque December day, 80 passionate birders set out across Lethbridge for the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count, uncovering remarkable sightings and setting new records in a tradition spanning decades.
On Saturday, December 14, 2024, under the coordination of local compiler Ken Orich, teams and solo birders surveyed 37 city zones, 7 rural areas, and 11 feeders. They logged over 785 km by vehicle (44.72 hours of effort) and walked an impressive 228.85 km (97.25 hours) to count birds. With mild temperatures and gentler winds, the conditions were far more pleasant than the typical winter Chinooks.
Record-Breaking and Noteworthy Sightings
Our final count reached 55 species, which ties our second-highest record from 2023 and is only three short of our 2020 all-time high of 58.
We observed 31,020 individual birds, about 44% of last year’s record-setting 70,585—still an impressive number.
New count records:
Western Meadowlark, American Dipper, and Northern Saw-whet Owl all made first-ever appearances.
Wood Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Common Mergansers, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Shrike, and White-throated Sparrows broke or matched previous high counts.
Other notables since 2003:
Bald Eagle sightings continued trending high (58 total).
Waterfowl like Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, and Ring-necked Duck appeared in small but significant numbers.
Northern Flickers and Dark-eyed Juncos approached their top records, demonstrating stable winter populations.
Bald Eagle spotted along Harvest Haven Road during the Lethbridge Christmas Bird Count 2024. Photo by Ken Orich.
Winter birds to watch for in Lethbridge
While Mountain Bluebirds sightings may be a couple months away, the Lethbridge area hosts a variety of winter birds worth looking for on your next walk:
Downy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker are seen in higher numbers, busily drumming on trees or visiting backyard feeders. Their distinct markings make them easy to identify, and they’re active throughout winter.
Bald Eagles are frequently spotted around open water, scanning for fish or carrion. Watch for other raptors like the Northern Harrier hunting over fields.
If the river or local ponds remain partially thawed, you may see Common Mergansers, Mallards, and smaller flocks of specialty ducks such as Green-winged Teal or Ring-necked Ducks.
Dark-eyed Juncos and Song Sparrows often gather near feeders or low shrubs. Keep an eye out for White-throated Sparrows, which set a new high record this year, or small flocks of House Finches and Pine Siskins.
Mountain Bluebirds typically won't return until late February or March; this nest box stands ready to welcome its next residents soon enough. Be sure to share your first bluebird sighting of the season with us!
Christmas Bird Counts
This year marks the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) across North America. Records show that Lethbridge volunteers and bird enthusiasts have participated since at least 1983. Each CBC takes place between December 14 and January 5 within a consistent 24 km (15-mile) wide circle, ensuring that data collected over the years remains comparable.
For Lethbridge, the center of this circle is the old water tower located at Mayor Magrath Drive and 3rd Avenue South. By gathering and reporting sightings, participants play a crucial role in this Citizen Science effort, helping researchers and conservationists better understand bird populations and trends over time.
This year’s highlights—such as the first sightings of the American Dipper and the record numbers for woodpeckers—offer fascinating insights into local bird diversity.
The count also highlighted the region's rich wildlife, with sightings of 239 mule deer, 15 porcupines, 5 coyotes, and a red fox. Tracks of a raccoon were noted, along with a beaver, white-tailed deer, and smaller mammals like a mountain cottontail and jackrabbit.
If you’d like more details or historical breakdowns, Ken Orich has comprehensive spreadsheets (available by request). Whether you’re a casual birdwatcher or an experienced birder, now is a great time to explore Southern Alberta’s winter wildlife.
Grab a friend, bundle up, and get outside to discover our region’s birds!
Thank you to everyone who participated and to those who continue to support local birding. We look forward to another fantastic count next year. Until then, happy winter birdwatching!
Did you know?
Milk River’s CBC is on Saturday, January 4, 2025. New participants are always welcome. If you are interested you can contact the coordinator Ken Orich at korich (AT) telusplanet (DOT) net .