The 13th Strathroy Area Christmas Bird Count was held December 29, 2008.
A warm rain on the 27th, melted the snow and created small lakes and streams everywhere, making access to some of our usual walks impossible. Nevertheless, 15 field observers and 26 feeder watchers, tallied 12,754 birds of 60 (a new high) species. New for the count Northern Pintail (7) Peregrine Falcon (1) White-winged Crossbill (162) Record highs Rock Pigeon (507) Golden-crowned Kinglet (56) Record Lows Morning Dove (180) Horned Lark (23) Snow Bunting (3) Other interesting observations Bald Eagle (1 immature) Merlin (1) Pileated Woodpecker (seen on the last 5 counts) Carolina Wren (seen on the last 7 counts) Eastern Bluebird (13 - 2nd highest on count) Tufted Titmouse (2) Chipping Sparrow (1) Fox Sparrow (1) Red-winged Blackbird (4) Common Grackle (3) Thank you to all those who helped with this count. Dave Skinner Strathroy, Ontario _______________________________________________ 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
