All;
By now you must be very tired waiting to hear about our Christmas count
- which occurred on Dec. 19. It was positively the coldest day in recent
memory; - 45 degrees below zero with wind-chill factor figured in. It was an
unpleasant day for birdwatching, to put it mildly (semi-pun).
However, with 681 Feeder-watchers, plus 32 Field observers, I am sure we
will have had once again the largest number of participants in any Christmas
count anywhere!
Among highlights were the large number of Bohemian Waxwings - 356; and
contrary to expectations Common Redpolls were the largest number of the
winter finches - at 847. Normally they alternate in number with American
Goldfinches - but this year the goldfinches have begun to disappear - at
181, just like last year.
Pine Grosbeak at 199 supplied a pretty diversion to many from the slowly
diminishing Evening Grosbeak, which this year is down to just 79 birds.
There were, however, but 18 Gray Jays, the lowest number since 1994.
One Common Loon gleaned from within the rising mist from the last bit of
Trout Lake to remain unfrozen was the only water bird observed; unless you
count the 189 Mallards, 8 Black Ducks and a lone Canada Goose trying to
survive the winter near the open waters of the lakeshore sewage treatment
plant. These latter may not be able to survive much longer since local
Samaritans had been asked (via recent by-law) not to feed them, unlike
during the last few previous winters. And this in turn is causing much local
controversy as the realization dawns that this severe weather may cause a
massive local death toll. The birds will not likely leave this now
forbidding area, so late in the season.
On a much more pleasant note 5 Northern Cardinals are maintaining a small
local presence; a Lapland Longspur was a first for the count; two House
Finches have found their way back after a 4 year complete absence; one Great
Gray Owl, one Sharp-shinned Hawk, and during count week one Barred Owl
added some excitement to the few who saw them; and one Carolina Wren and one
American Robin are trying to survive this tough weather near protective
feeders.
42 species were noted among 7371 birds, about average for this northern
community, despite the terrible cold!
Yours etc. Dick Tafel, count compiler, North Bay
