Saturday 29 December 2018

Two Counts in Two Days

Christmas Bird Count season is winding down and I have just finished up with my two counts of the year, Linwood on Friday and Stratford today.

The Linwood count took place in unseasonably mild temperatures with periods of fog and light rain.  I was assigned to the same section as last year, covering Millbank and area to the southwest.  My morning started around 5 AM in an attempt to get some owls for the count, coming across one Screech.  After a brief intermission to do some chores at home, it was back into Millbank to meet up with the three other participants in our zone.  Certain species were obviously present in lower numbers than last year, likely weather related.  Raptor numbers, usually the main focus on the count and one of the reasons that this count circle was created, were hard to come by.  Despite this, the number of species and individuals finished above average.

Common Redpoll, Linwood CBC Area 3, Photo Courtesy of Jim Bowman


Rough-Legged Hawk, Linwood CBC Area 3, Photo Courtesy of Jim Bowman


For those of you who may not have seen the recently posted Ontbirds summary, some notable numbers included:

3119 Rock Pigeon- new high

1 Pine Grosbeak- 2nd record

69 Red-tailed Hawk- low

42 Rough-Legged Hawk- low, average is 95, previous low being 44

18 Snowy Owl- decent

0 Horned Lark- ??

The count organization by Ken Burrell and the evening wrap up and delicious meal by his parents were much appreciated.

Today's Stratford count was undertaken in much more seasonal weather with some light snow and temperatures in the low negatives.  I was in charge of the Tavistock zone and it produced some interesting finds.  A large flock of 250 Common Redpoll foraging in a bean field was the only sighting for the count and accompanying them were a couple Hoarys.  Crows were well represented in this zone, with well over a thousand observed.  We managed three Bald Eagle, a species that seems to be becoming more common in our area than it used to be.




Hightlights of the count included:

2 Wood Duck

96 Common Merganser

12 Bald Eagle

1 Iceland Gull

1 Short-Eared Owl

250 Common Redpoll

2 Hoary Redpoll

45 Species total + 3 Count Week additions so far.

It was a great way to finish off the year.  Will be interesting to see what 2019 brings.

Sunday 2 December 2018

A Few Photos

Short post here just to keep this blog somewhat active.  I haven't since seen anything in comparison to the rarity of the Rondeau Kiskadee, but that doesn't mean I haven't taken time to get out and explore.  I didn't get to the Goderich Calliope Hummingbird, but one can't get them all. 


This Eastern Screech-Owl spent the day in one of our flicker boxes.  The flickers have never used it, but the squirrels have been in and enlarged the hole.

The nomadic Evening Grosbeaks made a brief stop at the feeders. 

A chilly Ovenbird showed up for several days at a friend's feeder.



A visit across the border to our southern neighbours earlier this fall resulted in a few nature observations as well.

Fox Squirrel- Illinois USA

American White Pelican- Illinois USA

American Lotus- Illinois USA
Christmas bird counts are on the way again.  I'm planning to participate in what has become my usual two counts in Linwood and Stratford.