Ontbirds subscribers, The first week of February is almost over meaning that there are only about 3 weeks remaining in the winter birding period, running from December 1 to February 28. Since the last update at the end of January, 2 more species have been added to the cumulative total, bringing the winter list up to 213. Last year's mark of 224 looks safe for now since very few species are usually added in February. I have sent the updated list to Blake Maybank and he will post it on his web page soon (hopefully). Blake has been away for a few weeks and so the last update has not been reflected on his web page. A link to the webpage: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/other/onwinter.htm The new species added include California Gull, which was apparently seen on the Ontario side of the Niagara River, Niagara on December 28, and White-winged Dove, which is continuing at the Visitor Center at Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent. The White-winged Dove is only the 3rd winter record for Ontario. A new subspecies in Audubon's Warbler, first found coming to a bird feeder on the Thunder Bay CBC on December 26 doesn't count towards the total. Additionally, several Western Grebes were seen with the first being found at Sarnia, Lambton (first seen on January 13). Western/Clark's Grebe from December can now be replaced with Western Grebe. There are few birds likely to be added to the list in the remaining weeks. Some possibilities include Tufted Duck, Ptarmigans (present in the north, just nobody up there to find them), Sabine's Gull (one was seen in Buffalo harbour a few days ago), Mew Gull, and Barn Owl. Good birding,Josh ----------------------------------------------- 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/
