The annual Hanover – Walkerton Christmas Bird count took place on Saturday, December 17, 2016 and by all accounts ended up being a great day. The weather predictions leading up to count day were horrible at best 20 + cm of snow had been forecast and that did keep a few people away from the count . Those who ventured out early in the morning in search of owls experienced a lot of snow on back roads before the ploughs got out, but things improved greatly as the morning continued. The temperature was just below 0 C for the high for the day, and while smaller bodies of water were frozen, the rivers and moving waters were partly open. All parties reported the same thing in that most birds were found at feeders and in groups.
A total of 52 species were recorded on the day itself while one additional species was recorded during the count week period. A new species was also recorded for the first time on the HW CBC as noted below.
Canada Goose 48
Mute Swan 1
American Black Duck 22
Mallard 693
Common Goldeneye 58
Redhead 3 New Species to count
Hooded Merganser 1
Common Merganser 2
Bald Eagle 23 Record High
Sharp shinned Hawk 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 19
Rough-legged Hawk 10
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 3 Record High
Ruffed Grouse 3
Wild Turkey 426 Record High
Sandhill Crane 15
Ring-billed Gull 19
Herring Gull 312
Rock Dove 273
Mourning Dove 426
Eastern Screech Owl 1
Snowy Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 11 Record High
Downy Woodpecker 56
Hairy Woodpecker 28
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Northern Shrike 2
Blue Jay 240
American Crow 889
Common Raven 7
Horned Lark 15
Black-capped Chickadee 421
Red-breasted Nuthatch 24
White-breasted Nuthatch 74 Record High
Brown Creeper 6
American Robin 31 Record High
European Starling 1233
American Tree Sparrow 293 Record High
Song Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 625
Snow Bunting 1000
Northern Cardinal 64
Purple Finch 26
House Finch 104
Common Redpoll 1
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 805
House Sparrow 88
Duck Sp. 9
Buteo Sp 2
hawk Sp. 2
gull Sp. 93
Woodpecker Sp. 1
small finch Sp. 50
blackbird Sp. 1
Total birds recorded = 8573
One additional bird was recorded during count week and it was a Lincoln’s Sparrow seen at a feeder in Walkerton.
After a day in the field most people were able to join each other for some warm apple cider and some dinner just prior to the wrap up tally. People discussed the highs and the lows of the day and shared a few laughs. Hopefully next year a few new members will be able to join us for the count. The 2017 CBC will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16 so mark your calendars now! We hope to see you then.
