The annual count was held Saturday, December 19th, 2009 under ideal weather conditions with 29 field observers. While lakes were frozen most rivers were open to partly open allowing for some duck species. The actual species total of 46 was slightly lower than the count average of 48 but this is probably attributed to no winter finches. In the same breath the overall count of 8291 birds was the fifth best total overall. Record highes were recorded for the following birds.
Wild Turkey 162 Great Black-backed Gull 4 Downy Woodpecker 68 Pileated Woodpecker 7 Two additional species were recorded as count week birds. They included Great Horned Owl and Snowy Owl. Next years count will take place Saturday, December 18th, 2010. Merry Christmas to All & All the Best in Birding for 2010. Gerard McNaughton _______________________________________________ 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/

