Annual Christmas Bird Count

Each year, Kouchibouguac National Park participates in the Christmas Bird Count, bringing together bird enthusiasts to collect valuable data on local bird populations.

2024 Highlights

• Participants: 25 volunteers and Parks Canada staff joined this year. This group included field birdwatchers and people monitoring feeders from home.
• Total species observed: 37, surpassing the long-term average of 30 species (1969–2023).
• Total birds counted: 1,502, exceeding the average of 1,177 birds (1969–2023).
• Special note: Open estuaries due to mild temperatures led to increased sightings of sea ducks, with 400 sea ducks observed, representing 8 species:
  • White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi)
  • Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
  • Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
  • Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)
  • Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
  • Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)
  • Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)
  • Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)

Notable Sightings

• Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): Six observed this year, tying the second-highest count on record (2020). The highest record was in 2017, with seven eagles spotted.
• Rare species: Six species were identified that are rarely seen during the park's Christmas Bird Count:
  • Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata): First-ever sighting during the count!
  • Bonaparte’s Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia): Third sighting since 1969.
  • Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus): Fourth sighting since 1969.
  • White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi): Eighth sighting since 1969.
  • Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica): Ninth sighting since 1969.
  • Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): Ninth sighting since 1969.

Species at Risk

• Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus): This vibrant songbird, listed as a species of Special Concern, is more commonly seen in winter near feeders.
• Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica): A sea duck also listed as a species of Special Concern. Although it doesn’t nest locally, it’s an occasional winter visitor.