The 11th annual Cortes Island Christmas Bird Count, co-sponsored by the Museum and Bird Studies Canada, had the largest number of participants (39) so far. The 2010 count was actually held on January 2, 2011 which was thankfully a sunny calm day. In the shade the temperatures remained below freezing – so the birders focused on the sunny locations to warm up. Because of the cold, most of the ponds, swamps and small lakes were frozen, making it more challenging to find the birds that normally inhabit these spots in the winter. Nine other individuals watched their feeders and yards and reported their counts as well.

For more information on the details of this year's Bird Count and for more pictures, go to the Special Sections menu above.