Hi Everyone Point Pelee National Park held is 60th annual Christmas Bird Count today. Birder were greeted with milder than normal temperatures and brisk south winds. The Tip felt much more like a day in early November than December. Waterbirds carried the count this year, with land birds few and far between.
With one area still to report in, the current tally stands at 96 species, above average for the count (apologies to those at the compilation dinner - I apparently couldn't count after a long day in the field) Today's highlights include: 101 Sandhill Cranes (100 of these cranes were seen in one large group in the onion fields north of the park - it was a remarkable sight) 27311 Red-breasted Mergansers (this break the previous high by approx 10000) 2 Black-legged Kittiwake 1 Red-throated Loon 3 Snowy Owls (there are two young birds and one older, whiter individual. The adult was spotted on Conc E on a light standard, as was one of the young birds. The second young owl is in the onion field on the SE corner of Mersea RD. 19 and Conc C) 20 White-winged Crossbills (in Wheatley) In all, a good time was had by all. Thanks to everyone who participated and to the Friends of Point Pelee for providing an excellent chili dinner following the meal. Good birding and happy holidays everyone! Sarah Leamington ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
