Yellowknife (Jan 05/05) - The usually assured sanctuary for ptarmigans at Aven Manor appears to be no more.

According to Patricia Baldwin, bird watchers aren't the only ones keeping an eye out for these snow-white chickens of the North.

Bird watchers Nicole Chatel (left) and Patricia Baldwin were among 20 others participating in the Christmas bird count Sunday. The group's findings included a rare Northern goshawk and an evening grosbeak. - photo courtesy of Pierre LeBel

A visit by participants taking part in this year's Christmas bird count on Sunday, turned up nary a ptarmigan outside the senior citizens' home, but one mean-looking Northern goshawk -- a rare and impressive raptor that loves to dine on the smaller, yet plump, white bird.

"There's usually about 50 ptarmigan there, but when our counters went to count them, they realized there were none," said Baldwin.

"They couldn't figure it out, so they looked up and there was a goshawk -- that's really unusual to get on the count."

The goshawk wasn't their only surprise on Sunday. One counter found an equally elusive great horned owl while Ski-Dooing on Long Lake. The count around Yellowknife included two hairy woodpeckers, a couple flocks of Bohemian waxwings, and the colourful evening grosbeak -- spotted for only the second time during winter.

The feathered kind weren't the only critters spotted by bird watchers, said Baldwin. The much talked-about pack of coyotes were also out enjoying the scenery near Latham Island.

"We were out there counting ptarmigans down in the willows when we looked up, and 50 feet away from us there's a pack of six coyotes," said Baldwin.

"They were on people's skating rinks."

Bird expert Bob Bromley said this year's bird count tied the previous record of species sightings at 14, first set in 2001.

"Last year we got nine," said Bromley.

"It could be a record. I can't remember if we got a record of 13 or 15 species."

Data collected by the bird counters goes to Cornell University where it is added to other Christmas counts from across North America in hope of getting some idea where birds have been, where they are off to, and how many.

Yellowknife's bird count is a joint effort between Ecology North and the National Audubon Society. All together, 2,504 birds were counted Sunday.

Bromley said despite the frigid temperatures experienced on the weekend, a good time was had by all.

"We got pretty close to 20 people, which given the weather, is pretty good," said Bromley.