[Ontbirds] Smooth Rock Falls CBC

[Angie Williams via ONTBIRDS]

  On January 5, 2019, we completed the first ever Smooth Rock Falls
Christmas Bird Count.  While there were no unexpected bird sightings, and a
few species were missed, I think we accomplished a solid count that showed
a good representation of what birds are around here in the winter.

 We had 5 parties in the field and 4 feeder watchers. Field counters
logged just over 12 party hours, driving, walking, and snowshoeing,
covering about 131 km altogether. Additional counters would be welcomed
next year; what a terrific opportunity for our southern friends to observe
some northern birds!

 We identified 14 species, totaling 266 individual birds, on count day.
No additional species were observed during the count week days. As
anticipated, the largest numbers of birds were observed at feeders in town
and at the landfill. Our most common birds were Pine Grosbeak (78) and
Common Raven (65). We were pleased to have a Bald Eagle, a Hoary Redpoll, 2
Boreal Chickadees, and 6 Blue Jays. Notable misses include Black-backed
Woodpecker, and any kind of Grouse or Owl.

 Because this is the first ever CBC in Smooth Rock Falls, we don't know
if any of our numbers were exceptionally high or low. We look forward to
the coming years when patterns will hopefully begin to emerge.

Angie Williams
aw8675...@gmail.com
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[Ontbirds] Pike Bay, Cape Chin and Sharbot Lake Christmas Bird Counts

[Andrew Keaveney via ONTBIRDS]

Pike Bay, Cape Chin and Sharbot Lake Christmas Bird Counts

If you wish to participate in any of these counts in the future please do not 
hesitate to contact me: Andrew Keaveney; 
uofgtwitc...@msn.com

These are all low attendance CBC’s in rural areas - we get about 45-50 
participants all told. They are always enjoyable and I thank all those who 
continue to join me on these outings!

Pike Bay CBC

Notes: Waterfowl numbers and diversity quite low; very difficult to come across 
birds away from feeders.

The large number of Count Week species is due to the smaller number of 
experienced field birders this year.

Totals:

2447 individuals of 39 species; 45 species were observed in the circle 
including Count Week species and I could reasonably expect there to be 50 
species present in any given winter.

17 field birders and 4 feeder watchers logged 38 party hours and 475 km’s (only 
18 by foot do to the small numbers of birds away from roads and feeders this 
winter).

Weather: Pleasant winter birding. A huge shift in weather over a 48hr. period, 
with rains and +14 temps the day before. Afternoon light snow; cloudy; Georgian 
Bay completely open, Lake Huron shorelines mostly free of ice, that present 
only freshly accrued; light winds; -7 celsius; fresh snow on ground from night 
before (<2 inches).

New: Mute Swan (2), White-winged Crossbill (1). The swans were continuing in 
Pike Bay from the Fall according to residents and the crossbill was a flyover 
in the northwest corner of the circle thanks to the ears of Anthony 
Vanderheyden.

Unusual: Hoary Redpoll (1), Bohemian Waxwing (20), White-throated Sparrow (1), 
Red-necked and Horned Grebes (5 each)

High Counts: Common Goldeneye (47), Herring Gull (301), Red-bellied Woodpecker 
(4), Northern Shrike (2)
Low Counts: apparently NONE!
Explanation: the high number of goldeneye can be accounted for due to the 
largest amount of open water we have had on this count to date. Red-bellied 
Woodpeckers continue to increase on the peninsula. Northern Shrikes, while 
around in small numbers each winter can be difficult to locate on count date 
and are usually found in the expansive Ferndale Flats region of the circle 
along Hwy.6.

Finches: Common Redpoll (207), Pine Siskin (2), American Goldfinch (133), Pine 
Grosbeak (6)
Explanation: several larger flocks (30+) of redpolls present, goldfinches were 
attending feeders in small numbers, Evening Grosbeaks were present at feeders 
in small numbers but missed on count day discouragingly, Pine Grosbeaks can be 
found sparingly feeding naturally, but crossbills, Purple Finches and Pine 
Siskins are scarce or absent across the Bruce Peninsula and much of southern 
Ontario this winter.

Count Week: American Black Duck, Snowy Owl, Horned Lark, Brown Creeper, Lapland 
Longspur, Evening Grosbeak


Cape Chin CBC

Totals:

1748 individuals of 36 species; 39 species were observed in the circle 
including Count Week species and I could reasonably expect there to be 45-50 
species present in any given winter.

20 field birders and 1 feeder watcher logged 59 party hours and 600 km’s - 50 
by foot!

Weather: No precipitation; cloudy, partly clear in p.m.; Georgian Bay 
completely open and conditions good to scope as far as the eye could see with 
light winds causing only low waves; warming up from yesterday with temps around 
0. Access to areas like Cabot Head easy this year due to snow accumulation.

New: Northern Goshawk (CW)

Unusual: Hoary Redpoll (1), Belted Kingfisher (1), Bohemian Waxwing (1), 
White-throated Sparrow (1), Common Grackle (1)

High Counts: Horned Grebe (26), Bald Eagle (11), Northern Shrike (4)
Low Counts: Herring Gull (13)
Explanation: Georgian Bay supports small numbers of both Horned and Red-necked 
Grebes (13 no this year’s count) throughout most winters. Northern Shrikes, 
while around in small numbers each winter can be difficult to locate on count 
date so a count of 4 is rather fantastic.

Finches: Common Redpoll (187), Pine Siskin (3), American Goldfinch (108), Pine 
Grosbeak (3), Evening Grosbeak (132)
Explanation: Very similar results to the Pike Bay CBC. Evening Grosbeaks are 
present at feeders in small numbers so it was great to connect with a few since 
they were missed on the Pike Bay count the day before.

Count Week: Northern Goshawk, White-throated Sparrow, Common Grackle.


Sharbot Lake CBC

Notes: Everyone noted that it was very difficult to come across birds away from 
feeders. The woods were silent aside from small groups of Black-capped 
Chickadees and often a few White-breasted Nuthatches.

Totals:

1347 individuals of 32 species; 33 species were observed in the circle 
including Count Week species and I could reasonably expect there to be 40-45 
species present in any given winter.

10 field birders and 2 feeder watchers logged 40 party hours and over 375 km’s 
(19 by foot which is not bad considering the number of participants).

Weather: Again, 

[Ontbirds] Kingston Area Birds: 12-18th January 2019

[Mark D. Read via ONTBIRDS]

Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of
MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders using eBird are encouraged to share their
sightings with 'Kingston FN'. Alternatively, please email or post records
directly to me - contact details below. Please note that some sightings may
require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.

 

A REMINDER RE OWL WOODS: A condition of being allowed continued access to
the Owl Woods is that observations of owls seen there are not posted to the
Internet (in any form) during the current season. Notices explaining the
reasons for this are posted at several locations in the woods. Currently the
landowners allow access but this may change if the rules are broken. I am
happy to answer questions on their behalf privately.

 

Highlights:

With falling temperatures at the tail end of the week, many of the
waterbodies are frozen. It was a pretty quiet week for the birds, though
general diversity was not bad. Here are the highlights of the last week:

 

NORTHERN PINTAIL - 2 drakes were seen at Invista, Kingston from 14th to
15th.

CANVASBACK - just one bird was seen this week, at Invista on 14th-15th.

COMMON LOON - a single bird was seen at Howe Island on 12th.

TRUMPETER SWAN - a good number of records are coming from the Rideau Canal
with this week's high count of 49 coming from Chaffey's Locks on 12th.

SNOWY OWL - the balance of birds between the two islands seems to have
settled with a high of 14 on Amherst on 14th and a high of 17 on Wolfe
Island on 13th. Please keep your distance to reduce negative impacts and
always respect private property.

CAROLINA WREN - a single was present at a private feeder just north of
Kingston on 12th.

HERMIT THRUSH - a late bird was seen on Amherst Island on 12th.

EVENING GROSBEAK - there were no records from the local area this week. 

PINE GROSBEAK - there were far fewer reports this week with a high of 9
birds, just north of Kingston on 17th.

COMMON REDPOLL - there was an increase in the number of sightings across the
region this week, with a high of 380 at Howe Island on 17th.

PINE SISKIN - there were just 2 single records this week, with birds seen at
Howe Island on 12th and just north of Kingston on 16th.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR - not a good winter for this species though a couple of
records came from Wolfe Island this week where 3 were seen on Bennett Road
on 11th and 1 was on 4th Line on 12th.

SNOW BUNTING - there was a noticeable increase for this species this week
with birds seen at many locations on the island and mainland. A high count
of 600 came from Wolfe Island on 13th.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - a single bird was seen at a private feeder in
Kingston on 16th.

SAVANNAH SPARROW - a single was seen just across the border at Point
Peninsula, NY, on 18th.

SWAMP SPARROW - 2 birds were at Amherst Island on 14th.

EASTERN TOWHEE - a single bird continues just across the border at Beadles
Point Road, NY, and was seen on 13th.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD - 28 birds were seen at a feeder on Howe Island on
16th, with a further 10 birds at the east end ferry on 17th.

COMMON GRACKLE - a lone bird was seen at the west end of Amherst Island on
14th.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - a wintering bird was reported from Amherst Island
on 18th.

 

In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property in the recording
area, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings
Policy
 . Please note that you must be a card-carrying member of Kingston Field
Naturalists (KFN), or be accompanied by a member, to access both the Martin
Edwards Reserve and Amherstview Sewage Lagoons.

 

As always, a big thank you goes to all those who have submitted sightings
directly or via eBird.

 

Mark.

 

Mark D. Read

337 Button Bay Road,

Wolfe Island,

Kingston, Ontario

K0H 2Y0

Canada

 

Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246

Email:   markdr...@gmail.com

eBird Guidelines for Reporting Sensitive Species
 

 

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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 
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Posting guidelines can be found at 
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Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists