Another Christmas Bird Count is completed and in the books. On Saturday Dec 18, 2010 29 participants scoured the 24km count circle in search of birds. The day itself started off with winds blowing from the SW and a fine snow falling through the day, temperatures were comfortable with a high of –3. and while rivers and most moving waters were open, all lakes were frozen. Snow depths were about 40cm once you were off road and walking.
49 Species recorded on count day
Canada Goose4
American Black Duck7
Mallard247
Common Goldeneye51
Hooded Merganser5
Common Merganser14
Red Breasted Merganser 2
Mute Swan3
Sharp-shinned Hawk2
Cooper’s Hawk4
Red-tailed Hawk20
Rough-Legged Hawk14
Bald Eagle4
American Kestrel2
Ruffed Grouse4
Wild Turkey163 * New record High (Previous high 162, 2009)
Ring-billed Gull4
Herring Gull71
Rock Pigeon174
Mourning Dove351
Eastern Screech Owl16 * New Record High (Previous high 11, 2008)
Belted Kingfisher2
Red-bellied Woodpecker4
Downy Woodpecker68
Hairy Woodpecker22
Pileated Woodpecker2
Northern Shrike10
Blue Jay207
Gray Jay1 rare bird documentation provided
American Crow983
Common Raven6
Horned Lark42 * New Record High* (Previous high 22, 2004)
Black-capped Chickadee648
Red-breasted Nuthatch23
White-breasted Nuthatch35
Brown Creeper2
Golden-crowned Kinglet11
European Starling511
White-Throated Sparrow1
American Tree Sparrow176
Dark-eyed Junco426
Snow Bunting289
Northern Cardinal59
Purple Finch1
House Finch112
Common Redpoll12
Pine Siskin1
American Goldfinch951
House Sparrow198
A special thanks who come out every year and make the CBC the success it is. Mike and Helen Beaulieu, Bob Gray, Natalie Gray, Kevin Kuipers, Charlene McNaughton, James Turland, Simon Turland, Ralph Knowles, Lynn Stoltzfus, Gary Nafziger, Jakob Natziger, Dave and Jean Schaus, Peter Kloestra, Byron Monk, Angus and Kathleen Inksetter, Gayle Schaus, John Reaume, Murray Townsend, Judith King, Clarke Birchard, Dorothy Kings, Kim Sayers, Jerry Asling, Minerva Cook, Sandra Powell.
We also had several feeder watchers who called and sent their numbers in via email they were Louise, Barb Doerr, and the Kaufman brothers.
A special thank you to Charlene who prepared a great meal for everyone at the wrap up and tally at the end of the day.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the next CBC set for Saturday, Dec 17, 2011. Mark it on your calendars now
Total Count5965
Two additional species were recorded as count week birds but will not appear on final totals. Great Horned Owl and Northern Pintail (last observed in 1983) could not be located on the count day itself, not for a lack of searching.
