I apologise, I sent the following out under a Re: Red-shouldered Hawk in Fort Erie subject heading by mistake.
The Presqu'ile Christmas Bird Count was held on Dec 20/2009 this year. Conditions were good but the cold weather of the last week reduced the amount of open water from what we have been used to in the last 5 years. Unfrozen water was pretty much restricted to the Trent River and open water of Lake Ontario. The total number of species seen was 74, down from the totals of the last 5 years but still above the 21 year average of 71 species. An additional 3 species (Purple Sandpiper, Northern Flicker, and Red-shouldered Hawk) were count-week only, with still two days to go in the count week. Some highlights are below: Species seen that have only been recorded a couple of times on this count included: Peregrine Falcon (1st since 1987) Eastern Meadowlark (only 3rd time in 21 years) and the Chipping Sparrow, Marsh Wren, and Carolina Wren have been recorded on less than half of the counts in the last 21 years. The completely new bird for the count was the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak that has been staying near a park feeder since at least Nov 13 - it appears to have a damaged wing but has managed to survive this long. Rather noticeable by their absence were Cedar Waxwings - The first time in 21 years none have been recorded. Record high counts were had for: Greater Scaup - 2076 Bald Eagle - 6 Northern Harrier - 8 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 9 Barred Owl - 14 Northern Raven - 7 Finally a couple of odd-balls were recorded A Nelson's Gull, and a "pink-side" Junco that was not quite an Oregon Thanks go out to all the participants for their work during the day (and before) and the Wilson's for preparing the wrap-up repast David Bree Natural Heritage Education (NHE) Leader Presqu'ile Provincial Park 328 Presqu'ile Parkway Brighton, ON K0K 1H0 Tel: (613) 475-4324 ext. 225 Fax: (613) 475-2209 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
