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On the verge of 300

by
Don Gibson

     Ten years ago the 300 Club (300 bird species tallied in New Brunswick) had but 12 members, however things have changed dramatically in the last decade and now that number is probably somewhere between 50 and 100. Let me tell you about another candidate who presently has No. 299.

      Undoubtedly it is a "life-list" like no other, including such species as White-winged Tern, Spotted Towhee, Band-tailed Pigeon and even Passenger Pigeon. On the other hand, Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Razorbill, Black Guillemot and Atlantic Puffin are among the ones not tallied. Sounds like someone very old who never goes near saltwater. Have you guessed by now that it is not a person but a place? Fredericton plus a circle with a 50 kilometre radius currently has a list of 299 species.

      At the end of 1999 the number stood at 292 (see Birds of Fredericton a regional field checklist available from the Fredericton Nature Club). Since that time, seven more species have been added.

      In 2000, a Tufted Duck at Sheffield, a White-winged Dove at Fredericton Junction and an American White Pelican at French Lake were the first of their species to be discovered in the area.

      During 2001, a Fieldfare at Fredericton, a Parasitic Jaeger at Lower Jemseg and an Ash-throated Flycatcher at Lower Jemseg brought the total to 298.

      It was decided to put a Barnacle Goose, seen at McGowans Corner on May 10, 1972, back on the list. This was done in anticipation of the Barnacle Goose being re-instated on the provincial list. Hope we are not being presumptuous.

      An additional 20 species have been reported for the circle, but have not been included because of lack of documentation. The Gray-cheeked Thrush and Bicknell's Thrush are included in this group because it was not determined which species had been seen, for at the time they were considered the same species.

      You could attain fame and fortune if you find (AND DOCUMENT) No. 300. OK that may overstate it, but you still can get that warm fuzzy feeling of achievement.

      Keep your eyes (and ears) open!