The 33rd Kleinburg Christmas Count was held on December 15th in conditions that included heavy snow cover and cold temperatures. There was very little open water and this resulted in a significant reduction in the number of individuals and species of waterfowl. Twenty-five participants and four feeder watchers found 52 species (slightly below the count average of 55) and approximately 8,700 individuals (well below the average of 12000). No new species were discovered leaving the historical species count at 115. Good birds found included Merlin (13th count), Short-eared Owl (12th count), Carolina Wren (4th count) and Red-winged Blackbird (11th count). Notable misses included Great-horned Owl (count week - 31 previous counts), Ruffed Grouse (27 previous counts) and Horned Lark (23 previous counts). There were extremely low numbers of Mallard (198), Northern Harrier (2), Ring-billed Gull (54), Cedar Waxwing (5), Common Redpoll (2 - new low for the count) and Pine Siskin (1 - new low for the count). Some species did have higher numbers recorded including Pileated Woodpecker (5), Northern Shrike (17) and Common Raven (11 - new high for the count).
Thanks to all of the participants, Bob Noble Brampton _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
