Gerard McNaughton
The annual Hanover / Walkerton Christmas Bird Count took place on Saturday Dec 14, 2013 under less then ideal conditions, yet several good birds were observed by the parties out in the field, feeder watchers, and a few local citizens who sent along their observations as they went about their daily activities. I want to thank each and every one of you for your time in making the CBC one of the largest citizen science projects in the world.
The day itself was cold and as the day went on the blowing snow reduced visibility making locating birds more difficult. Several birders commented that this year they really had to work for the birds. Two species set new high records totals, while several were at low totals. The 49 species recorded on count day is higher than the overall CBC average and only slightly lower that the past 10 year average of 51.
After a day spent in the outdoors most counters returned to Walkerton and the wrap up dinner. A special thanks to my wife Charlene for once again feeding the group upon our return. Someone commented that the social aspect of the count and seeing faces from previous years is one of the highlights of the count.
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose 244
Mute Swan 8
American Black Duck 18
Mallard 674 * New record High
Common Goldeneye 37
Common Merganser 13
Bald Eagle 6
Sharp Shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 10
Rough-legged Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Ruffed Grouse 1
Wild Turkey 104
Ring-billed Gull 16
Herring Gull 191
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Rock Dove 153
Mourning Dove 174
Eastern Screech Owl 16
Great Horned Owl 1
Snowy Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 43
Hairy Woodpecker 20
Northern Shrike 7
Blue Jay 185
American Crow 760
Common Raven 3
Horned Lark 9
Black-capped Chickadee 291
Red-breasted Nuthatch 18
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
Brown Creeper 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
European Starling 291
Cedar Waxwing 26
American Tree Sparrow 168
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark Eyed Junco 645 * New record High
Snow Bunting 1921
Northern Cardinal 24
Purple Finch 11
House Finch 68
Common Redpoll 78
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 298
House Sparrow 148
Waxwing Species 5
Buteo Species 4
Gull Species 5
A big thanks to all who contribute time in making the counts as successful as they are. Counters this year were Helen and Mike Beaulieu, Bob and Mary Beth Gary, Pat and Carl Goll, Gerard McNaughton, Ralph Knowles, Gary Nafziger, Jake Nafziger, Dave Schaus, Peter Kloetstra, Jean Schaus, John Reaume, Joy Albright, Murray Townsend, Val Droog, Judith King, Clarke Birchard, Barb and Bob Young, Vivianne Hebert, Angus and Kathleen Inksetter, Sandy Powell, Lynn Stotzfus, Minerva Cook, Kim Sayers, Steve and Alex, Janice Bridgen, Barb Doerr, and Karen Beech McCullough
Mark your calendars now as next years count will take place on Saturday, December 20, 2014.
