The results are in for the Whitehorse Christmas Bird Count held last month.

James Hawkings, the count’s co-ordinator, said dozens of birders flocked to the outdoors during some unusually cold and snowy weather on Dec. 27 to see what they could find.

“It was windy, cold, and snowing: this was probably one of the worst weather days ever for the Whitehorse Christmas Bird Count, at the tail end of a December that was at least 10 degrees C below normal,” he said.

“We had 47 participants who counted 4,162 birds of 24 species, one less than our average of 25.”

The temperature peaked at -24 C, with winds up to 39 kilometres an hour.

Participants clocked 127.3 kilometres on foot, with another 113 driving.

“Many observers commented on the uncomfortable conditions and went on shorter excursions,” Hawkings continued

“Nevertheless, there were high counts for Barrow’s Goldeneye, Downy Woodpecker, American Crow, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Pine Grosbeak.

“Bohemian Waxwings were notably absent though hordes were present earlier in November and December.

“White-winged Crossbills (seen on 23 of 30 previous counts) were absent. Bald Eagle and Mallard numbers were also quite low compared to previous years.”

One of the most unusual birds seen were three Steller’s Jays, which invaded the Yukon in unprecedented numbers last year.

“After a bumper crop of Steller’s Jays last year, we almost missed them this year – three birds were seen by one party near Northland Trailer Park,” Hawkings said.

Six Barrows Goldeneye were seen, along with two Spruce Grouse. No ptarmigan were counted.

One Golden Eagle was seen, along with two Eurasian Collared Doves. Six American Crows were counted, along with three Mountain Chickadees.

As Hawkings said, Pine Grosbeaks seemed to be everywhere with 378 counted. Ravens, of course, were the most common birds at 3,300.

The ravens, crows and Pine Grosbeaks were high counts for the species on the count.