On December 27th 35 field and 25 feeder observers participated in the 66th Carleton Place Christmas Bird Count. The day was mild, between 2C and 4C, cloudy with a wind from the west that made it feel colder.
The results were much lower than last year's excellent numbers but still around the average for our count day. There were just over 6000 individuals seen and 39 species. As well two count week species were seen (Snowy Owl and Sharp-shinned Hawk). Highlights * Wild Turkeys 428 (record high) which is the second year in a row a new record has been set * Waterfowl - way down because the river is mostly frozen - 1 Canada Goose! 39 Mallards and 25 Goldeneye * Raptors were lower except for 3 Goshawks equal to past record * 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak found at a feeder * 1 Song Sparrow and 1 Carolina Wren at a feeder * Once again this year finches are consistently low with no Purple Finches, no Siskins, 7 Redpolls, no Crossbills and no Pine Grosbeaks * 181 Robins * Good numbers of Starlings 1223 The count is supported by MVFN and the count data and pictures will be posted at www.mvfn.ca<http://www.mvfn.ca> in the new year. May your new year be fabulous cheers iain Iain _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
