Ontbirds subscribers,
The 86th annual Toronto Christmas Bird Count took place on Sunday, December 19,
2010. The count was conducted by 115 participants and 4 feeder watchers along
27 different routes.
A total of 93 bird species was observed on the count. This ties the record 93
species seen in 2003 and is above the 10 year average of 87 species. A total of
43,665 birds were counted (this is below the previous 10-year average of 51,344
birds). Two additional 'count week' species were White-crowned Sparrow at
Trinity-Bellwoods Park and a Lincoln's Sparrow at College Park.
Observers on the western Toronto Islands route counted 2 Wild Turkeys, which
represents a new species for the count, the 178th species on the all-time
Toronto CBC checklist.
New high counts were set for many species:
Horned Grebe 3 (ties 3 in 1975)
Red-breasted Merganser 714 (712 in 2008)
Black-capped Chickadee 1574 (1407 in 2009)
Red-breasted Nuthatch 105 (83 in 2009)
American Robin 1749 (1467 in 1998)
Bohemian Waxwing 45 (1 in 1977, 1985 and 1989)
Swamp Sparrow 12 (11 in 1976 and 2003)
White-throated Spaarrow 79 (53 in 2004)
Northern Cardinal 598 (562 in 2009)
Additional notable sightings on the count were: 3 Common Loons (off Ashbridge's
Bay), 3 Horned Grebes (off Humber Bay East, Sunnyside and the Leslie St. Spit),
9 Ruddy Ducks (7 at Humber Bay East), 1 adult Bald Eagle over Etobicoke's
Linear Park, 1 adult Thayer's Gull at Humber Bay Shores, 7 Long-eared Owls (2
at Humber Bay East, 1 at South Humber Park and 3 at the Leslie St. Spit), 1
Eastern Bluebird in East York, 2 American Pipits on the Leslie St. Spit, a
Common Yellowthroat at Humber Bay Shores and an Eastern Towhee just outside
High Park.
Many thanks to all of those who participated in the count.
Merry Christmas,
Glenn Coady
Toronto CBC Compiler
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
