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.