Ontbirders, Since the last update on February 15, two species was added to the winter list, giving us a final total of 223 species for this winter. This is only the 6th year in which an "official" tally has been kept that I am aware of, but previous to this winter the record was 201 species, set last year. The new species added are Yellow-throated Vireo, as a dead bird was found on January 10 and Willow Ptarmigan as an observer saw them in the north. I have send the list to Blake Maybank and hopefully he will post the results on the website soon. A link to the webpage: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/other/onwinter.htm Obviously the mild weather had a huge role in this high winter list as there were many lingering species reported, even well into the New Year. Additionally, a high number of OBRC reportable birds were seen in Ontario this winter. Some of the highlights of rare birds seen this winter are as follows. My apologies if I have forgotten to mention any notable records. Thanks to Alan Wormington for providing me with some information regarding previous winter records of some of these species. American White Pelican -Jack Custer Bird Sanctuary, Niagara Region: November 24 – December 1. Smew -Whitby Harbour, Durham Region: December 26 – December 28. This incredible find is one of only a small handful of this species ever in inland North America. There are 2 previous accepted Ontario records, both in winter, as well as a spring record that has not been reviewed by the committee. Black Vulture -Queenston area, Niagara Region: November 12 – present. As of the 2009 OBRC report there were only 2 previous winter records for Ontario. For over a year several Black Vultures had been sporadically reported along the Niagara River – these birds are most likely the same birds. American Golden-Plover -north of Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry County: December 1 to December 2. I am not sure on the exact number but there are about 5 previous winter records for Ontario. Slaty-backed Gull -upper Niagara Falls, Niagara Region: December 3 – December 17. -Owen Sound harbour, Grey County: February 26 – February 28. As of the 2009 OBRC report, there were 4 accepted winter records for the province, and 6 total records. Razorbill -Niagara-on-the-lake, Niagara Region. November 8 – December 3. If accepted, this would be the 4th Razorbill for Niagara-on-the-Lake. There are 4 previous winter records of this species in Ontario out of 8 total. Band-tailed Pigeon -Bracebridge, Muskoka District: February 4 to February 6. As of the 2009 OBRC report there were only 2 winter records out of 11 total. White-winged Dove -North Bay, Nipissing District: January 15 to at least February 20 – may be present. There is only one other accepted winter record as of the 2009 OBRC report. Barn Owl -found dead in Durham Region: December 23. As of the 2009 report there were 3 accepted winter records, out of 7 total. Prior to 1990, Barn Owl was not a reviewable species in southern Ontario. Rufous Hummingbird -Eganville, Refrew County: late September – December 24. As of the 2009 OBRC report, there are 5 accepted winter records for Ontario. Yellow-throated Vireo -found dead, Port Burwell, Elgin County: January 10. This is the second winter record for Ontario. Fish Crow -one probable bird, Adam Beck lookout, Niagara Region: January 1. -one to five birds, Fort Erie, Niagara Region: January 15 to present If accepted these represent the first winter records for Ontario and may be a sign of a trend as the species continues to expand its range into the Niagara frontier region. Mountain Bluebirds-one of the highlights of this winter has been the 3 Mountain Bluebirds, of which all three may still be present although recent reports of the Puslinch and Thamesville bird are lacking. -one female, Puslinch, Wellington County: January 1 to ?-one 1st year male, Thamesville, Lambton County: January 16 to ? -one female, Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward County: February 12 to present Black-throated Blue Warbler -Huntsville, Muskoka District: December 10. There are less than 10 previous winter records. Northern Parula -Bronte Bluffs, Halton Region. November 28 to December 5. This is the third winter record for Ontario. Black-throated Gray Warbler -Hamilton waterfront, Hamilton County: December 14 – January 3. As of the 2009 report there were 5 winter records out of 17 total. Black-throated Green Warbler -Hamilton Waterfront, Hamilton County: December 14. As far as I know this is also the third winter record for Ontario. Wilson’s Warbler -Hamilton Waterfront, Hamilton County: December 15 to January 11. I don’t know the exact number but there are about 5 previous winter records for Ontario. Spotted Towhee -Longlac, Thunder Bay District: November 12 – present? As of the2009 report, there were 13 winter records out of 23 total. Clay-colored Sparrow -Cressy, Prince Edward County: December 3. This may be the first winter record for Ontario, if anyone knows otherwise I would like to know. Bobolink -Stoney Creek, Hamilton County: December 24 to at least January 11. This is the first winter record in many decades and only the 2nd or 3rd winter record overall. Gray-crowned Rosy-finch -one of the Hepburn's race at Geraldton, Thunder Bay District: January 4 to January 5 -one of the interior race at Rocky Bay, Thunder Bay District: January 10 to present -one of the interior race at Rossport, Thunder Bay District: January 24 to at least January 31. As of the 2009 OBRC report there were 14 accepted records in Ontario with 8 coming during the winter period. Good birding,---------------------------------------------- Josh Vandermeulen Guelph, Ontario [email protected] 519-222-5420 (cell) joshvandermeulen.blogspot.com (blog) _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
