By Gerard McNaughton
The 42 annual Hanover-Walkerton Christmas Bird Count took place on Dec. 16, 2017 with participants searching woodlots, open fields and feeders in search of their feathered friends. Warmer then seasonal temperatures only a few weeks before were replaced by cold weather and snow that would make some roads impassable. Undaunted the 28 observers scoured the sounding area in hopes of finding as many birds as possible. By the end of the day 49 species had been recorded totaling 6375 birds with an additional 3 species being recorded during the count week period.
One new species was recorded when 2 Ring Neck Ducks were observed at the Chesley Sewage lagoons bringing the overall total species seen to a impressive 105 over the 42 years 4 species would set new record highs they were Great Black-backed Gull 11, Blue Jay 307, Bald Eagle 30 (23 were observed in one field alone), and Golden Eagle 2.
Other highlights included a Northern Flicker not seen since 2006 and a Wilson’s Snipe not seen since 1994. Count week species were Snowy Owl, Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird.
Canada Goose 232
Mute Swan 4
Mallard 689
American Black Duck 6
Ring-necked Duck 2
Common Goldeneye 22
Common Merganser 4
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Wild Turkey 144
Great Blue Heron 1
Golden Eagle 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4
American Kestrel 8
Merlin 1
Ruffed Grouse 4
Cooper’s Hawk 3
Bald Eagle 30
Red-tailed Hawk 22
Rough-legged Hawk 8
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 190
Great Black-backed Gull 11
Rock Pigeon 321
Mourning Dove 372
Northern Shrike 3
Blue Jay 307
American Crow 612
Common Raven 9
Horned Lark 5
Black-capped Chickadee 296
Red-breasted Nuthatch 15
White-breasted Nuthatch 26
Brown Creeper 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 19
European Starling 589
American Tree Sparrow 170
Song Sparrow CW
Dark-eyed Junco 596
Snow Bunting 477
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird CW
House Finch 121
American Goldfinch 818
House Sparrow 84
Duck sp. 21
Total Individuals Seen 6,375
