The 88th Hamilton C.B.C. was held Saturday December 26th 2009.
There were 66 participants including birdfeeder watchers.
Temperatures on the day ranged from a morning low of +1 and by late afternoon
it had climbed to +4. Overnight and early morning rain put a dent in the owling
activity, and held back a few of the early starters.
We recorded a total of 98 species, slightly above the 10 year average count of
96.
The total number of birds counted was 76,396. The ten year average count is
72,599.
The highlights this year were: Two Brant - equaling the previous record of two.
A pair of Common Ravens.
Good numbers of diving ducks, with the added sightings of a King Eider, and a
Barrow's Goldeneye.
New record for Wood Duck 6 (previous record 4).
Red-breasted Merganser 589 (previous record 502).
Mourning Dove 2,173 (previous record 2,052).
Carolina Wren 51 (previous record 40).
Winter Wren 37 (previous record 23).
There were low numbers for Black Ducks, Mallards, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, and
Common Merganser. With lots of open water around the region, these birds could
have been scattered, and not yet starting to concentrate in our area as is
usual when a freeze sets in.
Low counts were had for Iceland Gulls, Belted Kingfisher, American Crow,
Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow,
Dark-eyed Junco, and House Finch.
Misses this year - American Wigeon (c.w.), Horned Lark, White-crowned Sparrow.
Count Week species - Red-throated Loon, Turkey Vulture, American Wigeon, Lesser
Black-backed Gull, Gray Catbird and Pine Siskin.
I would like to thank all those who made the 2009 count a success.
Best Regards..............Tom Thomas.
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