The final count for the Lake Erie Islands Christmas Bird Count is 80 species and 43,766 individuals. Islands covered were Kelley's, South Bass, and Middle Bass in Ohio and Pelee in Ontario. The count was conducted on December 14, 2003. No new species were found, but a number of half-hardy species and some of uncommon migrants were found.
Unusual species include long-tailed duck (4), harlequin duck, sanderling (second count record), eastern phoebe (second count record), and American pipit (all from Pelee Island) and lesser black-backed gull, yellow-bellied sapsucker, and Lincoln's sparrow (all from Kelley's Island). High counts were made for a total of eighteen species. Nearly every fruit eating species were at record high levels. On Kelley's Island there were very times throughout the day that American robins or starlings were not flying overhead. A record total of 93 hermit thrushes were found. Bufflehead totals continued to rise. Before 1993, bufflehead numbers usually totaled less than 100 birds a year. Since then there has been a steady increase with this year's total being 2,691. Following is a list of new high counts: Gadwall 127 (previous high 12) American wigeon 4 (previous high 3) American black duck 199 (previous high 126) Mallard 904 (previous high 563) Pintail 5 (previous high 3) Greater scaup 51 (previous high 30) Long-tailed duck 4 (previous high 2) Bufflehead 2,691 (previous high 2143) Cooper's hawk 8 (previous high 5) Red-bellied woodpecker 42 (previous high 28) Eastern bluebird 32 (previous high 31) Hermit thrush 93 (previous high 63) American robin 4752 (previous high 883) European starling 21,841 (previous high 16,656) Cedar waxwing 255 (previous high 161) White-throated sparrow 337 (previous high 208) Rusty blackbird 13 (previous high 5) Brown-headed cowbird 192 (previous high 19) In addition good counts were made for: Yellow-rumped warbler 135 (2nd highest count, high count was 174 in 1997) Purple finch 49 (2nd highest count, high count was 65 in 1985) If anyone would like a final count list of species found and numbers, just e-mail me. John Pogacnik 4765 Lockwood Road Perry, OH 44081 440-259-2751 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "John Pogacnik" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
