What came close to being an iced-out affair yesterday turned into a good count for this area north of Toronto. Sixteen participants had a cumulative total of 50 species, which ties for 3rd best in the 14 years of the count - that is above our average of 46 species. A first-ever American Coot brings the historical species total to 93 species. A RW Blackbird was a nice surprise and, for the 4th consecutive year, we found a small group of White-crowned Sparrows wintering in the Holland Marsh. Other highlights included two Snowy Owls, four Red-bellied Woodpeckers, six Northern Shrikes, two Northern Harriers, 30+ Pine Siskins, 30+ Horned Larks, and a Merlin. Notable misses for the count were Rough-legged Hawk and Ruffed Grouse.
Ron Fleming, Newmarket Bradford is halfway between Toronto and Barrie along Hwy. 400. _______________________________________________ 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/
