The 80th Kitchener CBC was held today (December 20th). The calm, sunny weather was perhaps the most pleasant weather you could ask for and the 60 or so field observers and almost 30 feeder watchers all enjoyed the day. Overall, the general sense was that most species (with some exceptions) were present in relatively low numbers. 65 species have been found on count day, which is higher than the twenty-year average of 60 and the ninth highest total ever. Total number of individuals was also high at 36,329 (average is 25,075) although that is largely driven by large numbers of American Crows, Canada Geese, and Mallards. Despite being in its 80th year, we had an incredible day with four (!) new species for the count, bringing the cumulative total to 139. The new species for the count were Trumpeter Swan, Ruddy Duck, Common Raven, and Eurasian Collared-Dove (which was also new for Waterloo Region). As mentioned previously, the Eurasian Collared-Dove was found on private property near the town of Erbsville. If it is refound and permission is granted for birders to visit the property we will post instructions to Ontbirds.
There are still a few counts to come in (including feeder counts) so some numbers will change. Unusual species (besides those already listed): Northern Goshawk (8th record), Lesser Black-backed Gull (8th record), White-crowned Sparrow (9th record), Merlin (13th record), Red-winged Blackbird (13th record), Northern Pintail (14th record). New highs: Red-bellied Woodpecker (45, previous high 39 in 2012), Hairy Woodpecker (58, previous high 52 in 1987), Bald Eagle (10, previous high 9 in 2011). Other high counts (20 year average): American Crow 13,058 (2666), Iceland Gull 6 (2), Merlin 2 (1), White-throated Sparrow 19 (7), Bufflehead 33 (13), Glaucous Gull 11 (4), Eastern Screech-Owl 21 (9), Mallard 5,550 (2700), Pileated Woodpecker 9 (5), White-breasted Nuthatch 214 (113), Northern Harrier 3 (2), Northern Flicker 3 (2), Great Horned Owl 10 (6), Downy Woodpecker 197 (126). Low counts (20 year average): Cedar Waxwing 1 (108), Snow Bunting 6 (318), American Robin 16 (98), Great Blue Heron 3 (10), European Starling 1690 (4452), Common Redpoll 45 (115), Song Sparrow 7 (14). Notable misses (times recorded on last 20 counts): American Kestrel (20), Northern Shrike (20), Horned Lark (14), Carolina Wren (10), Brown-headed Cowbird (7). Thanks to all the counters we had this year and especially to Dawn Miles and Peter Coo for hosting the wrap-up meeting. For more information or if you find any "good" (including any of those species listed as misses above) species in the count circle between now and December 23, please contact me privately. Here is a map showing the location of the Kitchener Christmas Bird Count: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214970151258015239036.00047ad9407de14b9b2e7&msa=0&ll=43.600284,-80.49408&spn=1.087957,2.705383 Mike --------------------------------------------------------- Mike Burrell mike.burrell...@gmail.com Bird-finding and trip planning: http://burrellbirding.ca/ Blog: http://mikeburrell.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
