By Gerard McNaughton
Another bird count is in the books. The annual Hanover/Walkerton Christmas Bird Count took place on Saturday, Dec 20, 2008. It was a cold day, with temperatures, ranging from -19 C in the morning and reaching a high of -9 C. The sun was shinning on our hardy group as they set out in search of our feathered friends. The day before and after our count were very snowy and strong winds closing many local roads.
At 52 species we tied for the third highest total of species seen and the overall total was just slightly below the 32 year average for this count. This I think can be contributed to the lower then average numbers of House Sparrow, and European Starling seeking shelter from the cold and staying in barns, and buildings with their flocks. We did have highlights including new record high totals for 4 species. Several other species were recorded on count day that have not been regulars on previous counts, these include Bohemian Waxwings, not seen since 1980 and White-winged Crossbill’s were located by 2 parties.
2008 Hanover/Walkerton Christmas Bird Count
Canada Goose 26
Mute Swan 3
American Black Duck 8
Mallard 345
Bufflehead 2
Common Goldeneye 16
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Coopers Hawk 3
Northern Goshawk 1
Accipiter Sp. 2
Red-tailed Hawk 51 *** New record high***
Rough-legged Hawk 19
Broad-winged Hawk 1 *** Rare bird documentation
requested***
Buteo Sp. 1
Bald Eagle 5 ***New record high***
American Kestrel 7
Ruffed Grouse 3
Wild Turkey 81
Ring-billed Gull 26
Herring Gull 25
Gull Sp. 84
Rock Pigeon 287
Mourning Dove 488
Eastern Screech Owl 11 ***New record high***
Snowy Owl 2
Red bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 52
Hairy Woodpecker 27
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Northern Shrike 5
Blue Jay 283
American Crow 1223
Common Raven 11 ***New record high***
Black-capped Chickadee 669
Red-breasted Nuthatch 15
White-breasted Nuthatch 53
Brown Creeper 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 17
American Robin 1
European Starling 604
Bohemian Waxwing 10
Cedar Waxwing 91
American Tree Sparrow 46
Dark-eyed Junco 259
Snow Bunting 341
Northern Cardinal 40
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 91
White-winged Crossbill 56
Crossbill Sp. 12
Pine Siskin 105
American Goldfinch 786
House Sparrow 162
————–
Total 6474
1 additional bird was reported during count week. A Song Sparrow was located
by Clarke Birchard . This makes a grand total of 53 species.
My thanks to all who participated in the count to make it the success it
was. They included Joy Albrecht, Jerry Asling, Joan Asling, Helen Beaulieu,
Michael Beaulieu, Minerva Cook, Bob Gray, Natalie Gray, Vivianne Hebert,
Fred Jazvac, Judith King, Dorothy Kings, Ralph Knowles, Charlene McNaughton,
Gerard McNaughton, Mike Pickup, Sandy Powell, John Reaume,Kim Sayers, David
Schaus, Jean Schaus, Lynn Stoltzfus, Wanda Szabo, Murray Townsend,
Feeder Watchers: Clarke Birchard, Malcolm Campbell, Doreen Stoot, Ken Watson
Mark your calendars now for next years count will take place on Sat. Dec. 19, 2009, hope to see you there.
