While snow is off the agenda for a Bermuda Christmas, the Island did enjoy a visit from a snow goose this festive season.

The white-feathered bird was discovered grazing in the middle of the motocross track at Clearwater.

Members of the Bermuda Audubon Society discovered the bird while doing its annual Christmas Bird Count. Some 7,500 birds were recorded of 98 species on the December 27 count day and three days either side of it.

“This year’s CBC went very well and we recorded an above average number of species,” Andrew Dobson, the Bermuda Audubon Society president, said. “Observers were keen to see whether this year’s two hurricanes had taken its toll on local birds. Numbers of bluebirds, white-eyed vireos and cardinals seem to have held up well, but the number of mourning doves was about half the number recorded in recent years.

“The most numerous species was the starling, which combined with the kiskadee and sparrow, made up over 50 per cent of the birds seen.

“Highlights this year included the recording of 18 species of wood warbler, 15 species of wildfowl, with record numbers of hooded mergansers and only the second ever record of a redhead duck on count day.”

The results are submitted to the National Audubon Society in the United States as part of a continent-wide 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.

The observers can learn about birds by taking part in these science-based activities and Audubon’s science staff gains invaluable information.

The Audubon Society says the practice also benefits the birds because it helps the organisation focus on those birds and habitats that need our help most. Count results will be available as they are entered on to the National Audubon website, www.audubon.org/bird/cbc.