Dear ONTBIRDERS
Point Pelee National Park, was excited to host its Annual Christmas Bird
Count on Monday, December 22, 2008. This was the 57th year for the count,
held in the 15 km diameter circle known as the Pelee Birding Area.
29 people participated in this year’s count with people from as far away at
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Redlands California, and Lafayette,
Lousisana.
Weather conditions were very challenging for this year’s counters. With
lows from –18C to highs of –11 C and strong westerly winds both the birds
and counters were surviving extremely cold conditions. As such, many birds
were hunkered down and out of sight, so the total number of individuals
recorded (18 124) was lower than normal. The water on the lake was
completely iced in on the west side of the peninsula and partially frozen
on the east, so waterfowl numbers on the whole were much lower than normal.
The total number of species observed was 91 – lower than average due to the
weather.
Count highlights included:
Sandhill Crane (18) – this is the 4th record for the count, 18 individuals
were seen by two different groups along the east side of the park; they
were last seen on the beach, east of the Sparrow Field.
Cackling Goose (1) was noted with other puddle ducks in some of the only
open water at Wheatley Harbour
Wild Turkey (124) was noted both inside and outside of the park. A
resident group of 40+ now live in the park and were recorded around the
Dune picnic area
Bald Eagle – A new high of 15 birds were recorded; more than half of these
birds were likely migrants from other areas.
Common Goldeneye – This was one of the most abundant duck species seen this
year, with a record 3163 recorded along the east side of the peninsula;
many were observed doing their courtship rituals, even at this time of
year.
Long-eared Owl - two individuals were noted this year, one in the Area 1
(south of the VC to the Tip); the other was roosting in shrubs along the
edge of a ditch at the corner of Mersea RD 6 and East Beach Road.
Spotted Towhee – this western cousin of the Eastern Towhee was first
spotted in the Tip area in the late fall and had been seen by keen
observers ever since. Counters in the Tip area were delighted to find it
both in the morning and the afternoon this year. This is the first record
of this species as part of the Point Pelee Christmas Bird Count. The bird
continues to be seen at the Tip area - on the path that leads to the east
beach from the "42" sign.
There was a large movement of Northern Harriers on the count day as well.
While record numbers were not noted, this was the second highest count at
78 individuals noted. There was also a strong movement of Rough-legged
Hawks noted north of the park.
Some birds were seen in very low numbers compared to normal. Rock Pigeons
had all but disappeared from some of their roosts in the town of Leamington
and numbers of American Crow and Blue Jay continue to decline.
Participants enjoyed a chili dinner and wrap-up of the day’s count at Henry
Community Youth Camp in Point Pelee National Park. The dinner was
graciously sponsored by the Friends of Point Pelee. Their efforts were
greatly appreciated and produced another successful bird count.
Happy holidays everyone and good birding!
Sarah Rupert
Sr. Park Interpreter, Interpretive Program Coordinator
Interprète de parc principale, Coordinatrice du programme d'interprétation
Point Pelee National Park/Parc national de la Pointe-Pelée
Parks Canada/Parcs Canada
519.322.5700 ext/poste 13
519.322.1678 (fax/téléc)
[email protected]
www.pc.gc.ca
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