The 16th annual Huntsville Christmas Bird Count was held on Tuesday, December 15. Good weather prevailed, a rare thing here recently. The big lakes were all open, as was the Muskoka River. Deep snow (80 cm plus in places) made off-road travel, and on-road travel at times, challenging. Very few feeders were in operation, likely a result of low feeder-bird numbers this winter, deep snow between houses and feeders, and the economy. The species total was a little below average, and numbers of birds about average.
Preliminary results show: Total Species: 36 (average is 39) Total Individuals: 2,779 (average is 2,899) Record highs were set for two species (previous highs in brackets): Wild Turkey: 106 (64) Common Raven: 144 (134) New Species for the Count: Wood Duck: male on Muskoka River in Huntsville with Mallards and Blacks. Noteworthy Species for the Count: Trumpeter Swan: male (#586) on river in Huntsville for seventh winter. Ring-necked Duck: female on river in Huntsville. Merlin: 1 Ring-billed Gull: count week Bohemian Waxwing: 101 Finches: Pine Grosbeak: 5 Pine Siskin: count week American Goldfinch: 52 Evening Grosbeak: 28 Thanks to our 20 field observers, several feeder watchers, and our devoted team of after-count meal providers. Ron Tozer Huntsville CBC Compiler _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
