[Ontbirds] 2019 Toronto Christmas Bird Count results
The 2019 Toronto Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday December 15th. We had clear but windy conditions for our count, and extremely icy trails posed a challenge to the 121 field observers who braved the outdoors. Our 7 feeder watching teams might have had a slightly easier time! Similar to other counts this weekend, we had very low overall numbers of birds at 23,817 individuals, (for context, our highest count was 70,912 in 1998), but the count managed decent diversity at 82 species (our highest ever count was 100 species in both 2012 and 2013). The bird of the day was a single Dunlin seen at Tommy Thompson Park, and a first record for our CBC circle. A number of other unusual sightings included a Turkey Vulture over Humber Bay (recorded on 2 previous counts), a Purple Sandpiper at Tommy Thompson (recorded on 3 previous counts), 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (seen on 5 other counts), and a Swainson's Thrush at Earl Bales (recorded on 2 previous counts). Record highs of Trumpeter Swan (50 individuals) and Red-bellied Woodpecker (15 individuals) were expected given the general increase of these two species locally, but unusually high numbers of American Wigeon (37 individuals, highest count since 2008) are a little harder to explain, especially when paired with an unusually low count of Gadwall (121 individuals, lowest count since 1979). Waterfowl numbers were generally lower than normal, but no regularly seen species were missing altogether. A few notable misses on our count include Glaucous Gull (seen in 51 prior years), Northern Flicker (seen in 66 prior years), Northern Shrike (seen in 63 prior years), and Cedar Waxwing (seen in 59 prior years). Thanks to everyone who counted, with a special shout out to the Toronto Ornithological Club Records Committee (Ivor Williams, Amanda Guercio, Garth Riley, Howard Shapiro, and Mark Field) and our roundup host Ange Brooks! Emily Rondel Toronto Ornithological Club- Records Councillor ___ 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] Toronto CBC results
The 95th Toronto Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday December 16th, 2018 on a fairly warm 5 °C, but mostly cloudy day. 137 birders combed the city from dawn till dusk in what turned out to be a very interesting year. There were no first records for our count, although diversity was relatively high at 92 species. Only four previous years in our count circle’s long history have yielded more. Individual numbers of birds were solid as well, with 28,748 seen overall; well within our normal range. A number of local high species counts were recorded, some surely due to recent mild weather that allowed for insectivores to hang on locally. Five EASTERN PHOEBES were detected along various routes (the first since 1988!), while 2 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, a smattering of both RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and a couple of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS rounded out the insectivorous birds who have normally moved on by now. High counts were recorded for EASTERN BLUEBIRD (36!), TUNDRA SWAN (11), DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (18), RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (118), and HERMIT THRUSH (11). The continuing local increase of Red-bellied Woodpeckers was also evident with an all-time high of 13 seen. With the exception of BUFFLEHEAD, which were present in good numbers (517), many waterfowl species were present in somewhat lower than normal numbers. AMERICAN BLACK DUCK (40) and NORTHERN SHOVELER (1) were particularly low, as was LONG-TAILED DUCK, although at 2,412 recorded, there were still enough to keep everyone happy. Another notable sighting was the downtown WILD TURKEY that continues to confuse urban passerby at Bickford Park. Thanks to all sector leaders, volunteers, and the compilation team: Ivor Williams, Amanda Guercio, Garth Riley and Howard Shapiro. Emily Rondel, CBC coordinator, Toronto Ornithological Club ___ 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] Greater-white fronted re-found-Toronto
Owen Strickland just re-found the Greater White-fronted Goose at Beare and Steeles, where it has settled in a corn field with Canadas. Sent from my iPhone ___ 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] Update Rouge Greater White-fronted Goose-gone!
After obligingly posing for some pictures for Mark Peck and I, the goose has departed already! We're hoping to refind it in some adjacent fields. Sent from my iPhone ___ 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] Greater White-fronted Goose at Rouge Park-Toronto
Just pulled in to Rouge Park welcome area to help out with their Winter Rouge event and found a single Greater White-fronted Goose with a bunch of CANG in the grassy lot next to the Orchard and Vista trails. Sent from my iPhone ___ 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] Toronto CBC results
The 92nd Toronto Christmas Bird Count was held yesterday on Sunday December 17th. The day was freezing, but windless conditions made bird detection fun and relatively easy. With 91 species tallied overall, species diversity was solid, although individual numbers of birds were quite low at 28,178 (for perspective, our record high was 69,350 in 1998). The low individual count was largely due to scarce waterfowl; ducks were scattered around Toronto’s waters at very low densities, and no large rafts were found anywhere. Sadly, no new count birds were detected, but interesting sightings of the day include Tundra Swan <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Tundra Swan> (2), Double-crested Cormorant <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Double-crested Cormorant> (2), and a Rusty Blackbird <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Rusty Blackbird>. However, it was the sparrows who took the day! A continuing Fox Sparrow <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Fox Sparrow> was seen in High Park, a Lincoln’s Sparrow <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Lincoln's%20Sparrow> was found at Tommy Thompson Park, and three Savannah Sparrows <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Savannah%20Sparrow> were found collectively in High Park and the base lands of Tommy Thompson. Record high numbers of Trumpeter Swan <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Trumpeter%20Swan> (44) and Northern Cardinal <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Northern%20Cardinal> (722) were expected given the increases in these species overall, but the fact the cardinals outnumbered Greater Scaup in Toronto was a bit of a surprise! A notable miss for the count area was Canvasback, and relatively low numbers for Greater Scaup <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Greater Scaup> (486), Long-tailed Duck <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Long-tailed Duck> (3,210), Bufflehead <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Bufflehead> (182), and Red-breasted Merganser <http://cbc.torontobirding.ca/#/graph/Red-breasted Merganser> (305), rival years that the lakeshore has been completely frozen. A huge thank you to all route leaders and volunteers for a great day. An especially large debt of gratitude to the compilers (Ivor Williams, Garth Riley and Howard Shapiro) and to Ange Brooks for hosting another wonderful round up! Emily Rondel-Toronto Ornithological Club Records Councillor ___ 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] Toronto CBC results
Toronto CBC results The 93rd Toronto Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday December 18th, on a cold but clear day. Although chilly, conditions were ideal for birding, as our results demonstrate! One hundred and seventeen observers counted 95 species, an excellent result that has only been surpassed twice in Toronto CBC history (98 species in 2012 and 96 species in 2013). Individual numbers of birds were not particularly high however; only 37,504 individuals were counted, a respectable, but middling number for this count circle. There were a few contenders for bird of the day, and eventually a three-way tie was decided for three brand- new sightings for the count: the continuing and dependable LARK SPARROW, 46 SANDHILL CRANES spotted by Gavin Platt flying over the Toronto Islands, and a WESTERN/CLARK’S GREBE also seen off the islands by Gavin, but too far to identify to species with complete confidence. Other unusual sightings included single individuals representing RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (1), HARLEQUIN DUCK (1), TURKEY VULTURE (1), and KING EIDER (1). Record highs of CANADA GOOSE (6359), RED-TAILED HAWK (121), MERLIN (5), AMERICAN PIPIT (7) AND NORTHERN CARDINAL (619) were noted, and unusually high numbers of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (9) and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (361) were counted. Despite this good luck, NORTHERN SHRIKE and SWAMP SPARROW were the notable misses of the count, these two species being present in most other years. Lower than average counts were also recorded for MUTE SWAN (33), GADWALL (133), MOURNING DOVE (135), AMERICAN KESTREL (3), and EUROPEAN STARLING (1859). Ivor Williams, Garth Riley, Howard Shapiro, and Mark Field helped out with compilation and logistics. Many thanks to all volunteers! Happy Birding! Emily Rondel- Toronto CBC Compiler & TOC Records Councilor ___ 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] Correction to Toronto CBC results
I was just notified of a clerical error made by one of the Toronto CBC team and have to report that Toronto's record high count of Herring Gulls for 2015 is no more. I know we've probably disappointed a number of hardcore winter listers who were doubtless careening here in excitement to see them, but c'est la vie! :) Happy CBCing to the rest of Ontario! -Emily Rondel TOC CBC compiler and Records Committee ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Toronto CBC compilation results
The Toronto Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 20. It was a brisk day but clear. 150 participants counted 84 species; respectable diversity in spite of the fact that bird numbers were down overall. The bird of the day was a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL found by Jean Iron on the eastern edge of our count circle. This species has only been detected on 3 other Toronto CBCs. *Other Noteworthy Species* There were no rarities seen yesterday but the following birds were unusual: RED-NECKED GREBE: 2 (Seen on 13 previous CBCs) DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 2 (Seen on 9 previous CBCs) BONAPARTE’S GULL: 2 (Seen on 8 previous CBCs) *Record high numbers were seen of the following species. Some of these were expected in light of known range expansions, whereas others were surprising* TRUMPETER SWAN: 28. (numbers are increasing annually). WOOD DUCK: 7 (previous high was 4). GRAY CATBIRD: 2 (single individuals were seen in 1951,1968,1987,& 2014). COMMON RAVEN: 19. After the recent breeding success of these birds in Toronto, it was expected that they would be present, but the numbers seen across the city were astounding, and included a sighting of an “unkindness” of 10! There were unusually high numbers of CANVASBACK (16), HERRING GULL (2089), GREATER SCAUP (6870), and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (25). *Unusual lows were also observed for a number of species* Common Mergansers were well down; the mild winter may be keeping them north for now. Only 1 Belted Kingfisher was seen, and kinglets and waxwings were very low. Ivor Williams, Garth Riley, Howard Shapiro, and Mark Field helped out with compilation and logistics. Many thanks to all volunteers! Happy Birding! Emily Rondel- CBC Compiler & TOC Records Councillor ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Toronto CBC-early compilation results
The Toronto Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 14. It was a warm but gray and misty. It was a neck-and-neck battle for the best bird of the day with both a WHITE-EYED VIREO seen on the Toronto Islands on north side of road just east of island fire station (found by Mark Cranford) and a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER spotted where the Don Valley Parkway merges into the Gardiner Expressway. The warbler was seen on the west side of the Keating Channel in a small patch of bush (found by Tom Flinn). White-eyed Vireo has been seen one on other Toronto CBC (2004), while Black-and-white Warbler was completely new, winning it the coveted award! *Other Noteworthy Species for the Count:* Gray Catbird (Single individuals were seen in 1951, 1968, 1987) Orange-crowned Warbler (Single birds were also seen in 1952, 1997 and 2006) King Eider (1 was seen in 2004) Hoary Redpoll: 1 (seen in 4 prior years) *Record high numbers were seen of the following species. Some of these were expected in light of known range expansions/irruptions, whereas others were a little more surprising. * Trumpeter Swan: 25 (previous high was 19 in 2013) Snowy Owl: 9 (previous high was 8 in 2013) Red-bellied Woodpecker: 8 (previous high was 5 in 2011) Downy Woodpecker: 381 (previous high was 303 in 2011) Blue Jay: 219 (previous high was 212 in 1994) Common Raven: 3 (previous high was 1 in 1951 and 2013) Winter Wren: 35 (previous high was 29 in 2009) Northern Cardinal: 610 (previous high was 598 in 2010) White-throated Sparrow: 119 (previous high was 79 in 2010) Unusual lows were also observed for a number of species. Black-crowned Night Heron was absent altogether this year, although we normally get a handful. Only 158 Gadwall were observed, which is well down from the average. Same with the scant 484 American Robins observed. *87 species were seen overall*, which is middling for our area, although the rarities are helping us get to over it! Thanks to every single one of our 142 participants, especially sector leaders who took on some new volunteers this year. Ivor Williams, Garth Riley, Howard Shapiro, Hugh Currie, Jeff Harrison, and John Crawford helped out with logistics. Many thanks! Happy Birding! Emily Rondel- CBC Compiler & TOC Records Councillor ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Common Nighthawks in Toronto's High Park
For the last week, I have been monitoring the Common Nighthawk migration over High Park with the help of a few wonderful volunteers. We have had decent numbers of Common Nighthawks every night, with a maximum observed number of 250 on Thursday the 21st. Our smallest count was just 35 individuals on August 18th. Also observed are good nightly numbers of Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows etc. This Monday the 25th of August, Bird Studies Canada and the High Park Nature Centre will be hosting an open Nighthawk monitoring night. Everyone is welcome to join us on Hawk Hill in High Park, just north of the Grenadier Restaurant parking lot. We'll begin around 6:00 pm. Bring a lawn chair if you have one! Inquiries can be directed to eron...@birdscanada.org Emily Rondel-Toronto Projects Coordinator-Bird Studies Canada Good birding! ___ 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
[Ontbirds] Help needed for monitoring study!
Dear Ontario birdwatchers, I am a Master's student at York University and I am attempting to collect birdwatcher records for my research. In my work, I hope to show that birder data has been underutilized in protected area monitoring, and I am looking for birdwatcher's notes to support this idea. In particular, I am looking for individual observations of wood thrushes and yellow breasted chats at Point Pelee National Park between 1995-2005. Any other information as to where these two species were sighted in those years would be great as well. I believe that birders have a lot to offer to ecological integrity monitoring programs in our national parks, and I'm hoping to show they possess expertise that is difficult to replicate with scientific projects. Please contact me if you can help! Sincerely, Emily Rondel MES Candidate 2010. (416) 994-7941 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
