Members of the Bermuda Audubon Society recorded more than 80 different species of birds around the island during the group’s Christmas count.

On Wednesday, 18 birdwatchers spread across seven different areas from dawn until dusk and spotted 85 different species and more than 7,000 individual birds.

The numbers were slightly down from last year, when 93 species were recorded, but that was understandable given the rainy weather conditions on the day.

The count included some unusual visitors to the island including an immature Purple Gallinule in Devonshire Marsh, a Yellow-throated Vireo and Summer Tanager at the Arboretum, with a further two tanagers at Ferry Point Park.

A total of 46 species were recorded at Spittal Pond, including a flock of twelve Hooded Mergansers. Other highlights this year included two Snow Geese and two Brant Geese.

The most numerous species was the starling, followed by House Sparrow and Mourning Dove, with more than 1,000 individuals recorded of each of these species.

Andrew Dobson, the president of the society, said, “The results are submitted to the National Audubon Society in the United States as part of a continentwide study of birds that has been running for more than 100 years.

“Citizen Science provides a way for people to connect with the natural world through activities that generate vital information for the conservation of birds”.