Am sure everyone is just waiting with bated breath the results of North
Bay's count - which this year had 752 participants. For the past 6 years it
has been the most active Christmas count in North America (which means the
world), and I trust that once again it will attain that unquestionable
record.
Although the count occurred way back on Dec. 14 - with miserable, cold,
windy, snowy weather, it has taken till now to come up with official
figures.
Lakes were frozen and thus water-needing birds were very few.
44 species were confirmed mostly seen by a huge band of feeder-watchers.
Two Northern Goshawks, 3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 42 Gray Jays, over 1300
Common Redpolls, with a smattering of Hoary Redpolls are no doubt still
around, if anyone wishes to have a look. Up to 15 Northern Cardinals are now
making this area a full time home (first one to be sighted at a count up
here was back in 1987).
No owls were observed, nor, disappointingly, have any been sighted in
the area since; nor Carolina Wrens (one was in the area in late November),
nor crossbills.
Yours etc. Dick Tafel, count co-ordinator. 705 472-7907
Richard Tafel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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