The Cedar Creek CBC covers the central southern portion of Essex County
including Kingsville, Harrow, McGregor, Essex and a portion of the Lake
Erie shoreline. The 21st Cedar Creek CBC was held on December 17.
88 species were recorded. Cackling Goose (3) was new to the count, bringing
the total number of species recorded on all counts to 147.
Waterfowl and gulls were scarce this year as very little open water was
present. The snow covered fields forced many birds to the few remaining
patches of bare ground such plowed road shoulders. Sparrow numbers were
exceptional! Other noteworthy sightings included Turkey Vulture (4),
Cooper's Hawk (19), Peregrine Falcon (1) and Merlin (2).
Record high counts were obtained for:
Mourning Dove (2,443)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (3)
Black-capped Chickadee (886)
Chipping Sparrow (83)
Field Sparrow (61)
Vesper Sparrow (4)
Savannah Sparrow (15)
Fox Sparrow (9)
Song Sparrow (341)
Dark-eyed Junco (1,833)
Lapland Longspur (41)
Snow Bunting (4,148)
Common Grackle (636)
Brown-headed Cowbird (3,309)
American Goldfinch (497)
Only 9 American Kestrels were counted. The Essex crow roost held 37,000
birds, down approximately 50% from last year.
Complete count results will be posted in a few days at:
http://www.ojibway.ca
Paul Pratt
Windsor, ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
