Hello Ontbirders,
Pickering held its 56th Christmas Bird Count on Saturday January 3, 2009. A total of 70 species and 13,075 individual birds were tallied - up from last year's efforts. There were 24 field observers and 4 feeder watchers. New for the count (and long overdue) was Common Raven, with 2 birds seen. Almost as unusual was a Savannah Sparrow, our 2nd sighting (the previous one was in 1983). Highest-ever counts were made for Cooper’s Hawk – 8 (previous record 7 in 2005), American Crow – 478, mostly in one roost (previous record 443 in 1992), and White-winged Crossbill – 401 (previous record 170 in 1971). At minus seven degrees with only a light wind, the weather was reasonably mild. Unfortunately, the relatively hard freeze in the days preceding the count significantly reduced the numbers of most water birds, especially gulls. Our tally for Ring-billed Gull was 128, the lowest since 1985, and the total for Great Black-backed Gull was just 4, the lowest since 1976. While numbers were also down for most waterfowl, there were some exceptions. Our 4th record of Harlequin Duck (1) was an adult male. American Wigeon (1) was seen for only the 5th time. Good counts were made for Long-tailed Duck – 426 (our second-highest, with a record of 441 in 1995), Red-breasted Merganser - 86 (our third-highest, with a record of 421 in 2006), and Common Merganser – 110 (our 5th highest, with a record of 300 in 1991). Noteworthy raptors included an adult Bald Eagle (the 6th sighting), and 10 Sharp-shinned Hawks (our 2nd highest, with a record of 15 in 1991). Count week observations featured a Red-shouldered Hawk, a Merlin (each seen in 4 previous years) and a Snowy Owl. Finches Purple Finch – 6 House Finch – 80 White-winged Crossbill – 401 (highest ever, previous record was 170 in 1971) Common Redpoll – 380 (5th highest ever, record was 1300 in 1971) Hoary Redpoll – 2 (5th sighting, only 1 previous multiple record) Pine Siskin – 66 American Goldfinch - 269 Other sightings of interest include Wild Turkey – 18 (the 3rd highest, with a record of 54 in 2005), Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 (the 2nd highest, with a record of 6 in 2007), Carolina Wren – 1 (our 5th sighting), and Eastern Towhee – 1 (our 6th sighting, the first since 1992). Notable misses on the Count were Ruffed Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant and Swamp Sparrow. The count for Mourning Dove (230) was the lowest since 1982, and the tally for Great Horned Owl (1) was also low. Many thanks to all of the counters and feeder watchers, and especially to our hosts for the wrap-up session, Jonathan and Rosemary Oliver. Our hard-working CBC compiler is Glenda Jones. Pickering is located immediately east of Toronto. It extends from the shores of Lake Ontario north to the Oak Ridges moraine. The count area incorporates the neighbouring community of Ajax, as well as portions of Lynde Shores Conservation Area, including Cranberry Marsh. Steve LaForest President, Pickering Naturalists _________________________________________________________________ Show them the way! Add maps and directions to your party invites. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/events.aspx_______________________________________________ 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
