[Ontbirds] Pickering Christmas Bird Count Dec. 28, 2019
*66th Pickering CBC – December 28, 2019* We held our 66th Christmas Bird Count for Pickering on Saturday December 28, 2019. The count was sponsored by Pickering Naturalists. A total of 68 species were tallied, slightly below our ten year average of 69.0 species. The highest count of the past decade was 77 species in 2012. This year, there were 40 field observers and 10 feeder watchers, just less than our record of 51 observers last year. These participants tallied 18, 380 individual birds, somewhat higher than our 10 year average of 17, 358, but well below our 10 year maximum of 31,500 birds in 2012. The 13 teams for this year were a-field all day, amassing over 83 hours of high-quality birding time. Although Pickering experienced some rather wintery conditions earlier in the month, the count day itself was quite mild. Temperatures ranged from minus 2 at sunrise up to a high of plus 3 between late afternoon and dusk. Mixed sun and cloud at daybreak soon gave way to mainly sunny skies, and there was only a very light breeze. Creeks were open and flowing, but ponds and other still waters varied from frozen in shady spots to open where the sun prevailed. There were only scattered traces of snow and ice in the bush, and dirt trails became very muddy indeed by the afternoon. The lack of snow cover meant that many feeders were unproductive (and often empty altogether), although there were exceptions. An overall total of 154 species have been seen on the count since its inception in 1949. Note that there was an unfortunate hiatus of five years from 1995 to 1999, when no local CBC count took place, and there was no joy in Mudville. No additional species were added this year. Unusual species for this year’s CBC included Greater White-fronted Goose (1 – only the second record, the first was 2 in 2012), Canvasback (2 – the third record, previously seen in 1972 and 1991), Eastern Bluebird (1 – only the seventh record), Chipping Sparrow (1 – likewise only the seventh record, and the first since 2013), and Ring-necked Duck (1 – ninth record overall, and only the second in the last ten years). Good news stories of the year included three species on the increase – Trumpeter Swan (47 – highest ever, previous maximum was 34 in 2018), Red-bellied Woodpecker (17 – ten year average is 12.2, maximum was 28 in 2017), and Common Raven (22 – has only seen on our CBC since 2008, but is increasing steadily). High counts were obtained for Carolina Wren (3 – highest ever, previous maximum was 2, seen in three years - 1993, 2010 and 2016), Cooper’s Hawk (9 – highest ever, previous maximum was 8 in 2008), and Herring Gull (826 – the highest since 2004, ten year average is 147, maximum ever was 4983 in 1986). The story was very black and white for our two foremost aliens – in (this) space, everyone can hear me scream! European Starlings were at an all-time high at 4003 (previous maximum was 3618 in 2016). Mute Swans, at 108, were only marginally below the all-time high of 110, set in 2017. Three species of waterfowl yielded low counts, namely Canada Goose (8218 – well below the ten year average 10, 337.3), American Black Duck (21, less than half of the ten year average of 44.8), and Mallard (217, only ~one-fifth of the ten-year average of 1209.6). Songbirds in reduced numbers included Black-capped Chickadee (376, less than half of the ten year average of 644.7), American Robin (27, much lower than the ten year average), American Tree Sparrow (35, much lower than the ten year average of 206.0), Dark-eyed Junco (152, well below the ten year average of 461, and the lowest tally since 1969!) and Brown-headed Cowbird (2, well below the ten year average of 27.4). It is likely that the mild weather resulted in American Robins being much more dispersed than usual, and so less likely to be found and counted. As noted previously, weather was probably also a factor in the low tallies for feeder birds. The most notable misses for this year’s CBC were Rough-legged Hawk and Purple Finch, each seen on 8 of the last ten CBCs. Also missing in (birding) action were Great Blue Heron and Swamp Sparrow (each seen on seven out of the last ten CBCs), and Barred Owl and Pine Siskin (each seen on six out of the last ten CBCs). Three species, all ducks, were seen during count week, but not found on the CBC day itself. These elusive waterfowl were: Hooded Merganser (seen on 7 of the last 10 CBCs), Northern Pintail (seen on 5 of the last 10 CBCs) and Lesser Scaup (seen on only one of the last 10 CBCs). Thanks to Graham Crawshaw and Jean Iron for these additional observations. And now for a count week birding mystery question – “Why did the Short-eared Owl cross the road?” Answer – to avoid being tallied for the PN CBC count week by our raptor-eyed observers! (The road it crossed - or rather failed to cross - was the York-Durham Townline!) The Pickering CBC was
[Ontbirds] January 12 OFO Outing - Detroit River and Ojibway Park
Today, Kory Renaud and I led the Detroit River OFO Outing, which started at Lakeview Park Marina in east Windsor and continued w/ Little River Corridor Park, the Ambassador Bridge, and ended at Ojibway Park. 19 participants joined us for the first part of the outing and 13-14 continued on for the rest of the day. The day started off cold and cloudy but by late morning and into the afternoon, there were periods of sun making birding quite comfortable. Temperatures ranged from -4C in the morning to -1C in the afternoon. We tallied 43 species for the day. Lakeview Park Marina: w/ such mild temperatures so far this winter in the area, the waters of Lake St. Clair remain open so birds were not as concentrated at the Detroit River mouth as they sometimes are (the Detroit River mouth stays open year-round). We still managed to find some highlights, however, including a continuing male Wood Duck at Lakeview Park Marina, large rafts of Common Mergansers and Canvasbacks, an adult "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull, and a handful of Bald Eagles on Peche Island. Little River Corridor (south of Lakeview Park Marina): during colder temperatures and lake freeze, Little River stays open due to the neighbouring pollution control plant letting out warm water. Since there is currently no lake freeze, waterfowl were in short supply along the river but other highlights here included a Belted Kingfisher and American Robin. Ambassador Bridge: perhaps the best experience of the outing was seeing the resident Peregrine Falcons in action at the Ambassador Bridge. One bird caught a Rock Pigeon and perched on the bridge where we had excellent looks at it feeding on its prey. Thanks to Jeremy Bensette for getting it in his scope so everyone could really enjoy the view including a few curious members of the public. Sprucewood Avenue west of Ojibway Parkway: this area of industry along the Detroit River can be quite birdy and highlights today included a flock of 8 White-crowned Sparrows and another hunting Peregrine Falcon. Ojibway Park: a favourite winter location for many local birders, we finished at Ojibway Park where we enjoyed plenty of White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, and others at the park's feeders. Thanks to everyone who attended the outing, Jeremy Hatt & Kory Renaud ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Thickson's Woods Land Trust Warning.
This message has been approved by the Ontbirds coordinator: I am President of Thickson's Woods Land Trust and I have been informed that a photographer who was on our Thickson's Woods Reserve property was observed baiting a roosting owl using a dead mouse. This practice must stop immediately. I wish to post a warning to all that there will be zero tolerance in the future for this unacceptable practice. Since the Reserve is private property, where people are allowed access if they follow our posted rules, trespass charges will be automatic and immediate for any and all caught baiting any owls or for that matter any bird species going forward at the Thickson's Woods Reserve . Thank you Otto Peter President TWLT ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Barrow’s Goldeneye, Owen Sound Harbour
Continuing bird currently in a small bay on the west side of Owen Sound Harbour. Address 318332 Grey Rd 1. -- John Schmelefske # 7360 RR # 4 Alliston, Ontario,Canada, L9R 1V4 Email: j.sc...@gmail.com Watercolour Gallery: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001214=1051632050=ea990bf4ce ___ 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
[Ontbirds] 6 brown headed cowbirds Glenburnie
There have been as many as 6 brown headed cowbirds at my feeders on and off in Glenburnie (north of Kingston) today. Hwy 10 just north of Unity. Rose-Marie Burke -- Break out the bathing suits, summer is here! LAKESUN A truly natural place. www.lakesun.ca ___ 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
