On December 27th, 38 hearty field and 20 feeder observers participated in the 68th Carleton Place Christmas Bird Count. It was a cold day with sun in the morning and cloud in the afternoon.
This years count is very close to our 10 year average with over 5400 individuals and 45 species. Despite this we had a number of records set and/or tied for: Mallards at 68 Wild Turkeys at 498 – keep setting a new record every year Coopers Hawk 3 – tying the old record. One lived in my backyard on count day enjoying the Starlings for snacks Snowy Owls 3 – tied the old record, all close to Hwy 7 Barred Owls 3 – a new record Pileated Woodpecker 18 – a new record Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 – tied the old record White-breasted Nuthatch 176 – a new record We also had a hand full of Rough-Legged and Red-tailed Hawks, as well as 1 Kestral. After several years of Juncos being at record levels their numbers collapsed. Handfuls of Pine and Evening Grosbeaks as well as Redpolls and Siskins were seen. Waxwings were back in abundance after few to none for several years, with 630 Bohemians and 188 Cedars seen. As always the Bohemians maintained their coolness by wearing berets, smoking Gaulois and discussing Proust. Happy Year’s End to all and best wishes for 2019 Cheers Iain CBO DSBC (NC) Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10 _______________________________________________ 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
