Hey there
Our count was on Saturday, Dec 15, our 99th year of participating. It was bitterly cold and quite windy most of the day. The afternoon was a bit snowy as the storm approached. Still water was mostly frozen, but much of the Thames River remained open. About 70 species, an average total, were tallied so far. With approximately 35 parties and about 50 bird feeders, I still don't have complete results. But here are some trends and highlights. One new species was recorded, Trumpeter Swan, and for the second time ever, a Double-crested Cormorant. 40 Tundra Swans and a Mute Swan. (means we got all three expected swans for the first time ever) In amongst the hundreds of redpolls, two Hoary were reported which I am checking. Four White-winged Crossbills are coming to feeders. Seven Iceland Gull and one Glaucous Gull were reported from the city dump. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is coming to a feeder. A flock of 17 Snow Geese flew over.at great height. Also reported about 10 Bald Eagles (we have three nests in the circle), an immature N. Goshawk, 3 Merlins, and our two resident Peregrines. Trends indicate fewer waterfowl (frozen ponds and lakes), more feeder birds (cold and snow), more "winter/northern" species (though no record numbers), fewer hawks overall (snow cover?). Will post again, if anything of note is reported. Pete Read _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
