Ontario/Quebec
Ottawa/Gatineau
December 27, 2013
Ottawa/Gatineau (Canada National Capital Region) E. Ontario, W. Quebec
Compiler & transcriber Bob Cermak [email protected] or [email protected]
On the 26th the 100th Pakenham-Arnprior CBC was held.
Michael Runtz provided some of the history of this count:
"The Pakenham-Arnprior Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is steeped in history. Two of
the earliest counts held in Canada were formerly conducted in the area covered
by the current Pakenham-Arnprior CBC. The first was the Arnprior CBC, which ran
from 1913 to 1939 (with apparently no count held in 1933). All through its
existence, the Arnprior CBC had but two participants: Charles Macnamara and
Liguori Gormley. Covering the Arnprior CBC only by foot, over the years
Macnamara and Gormley tallied an admirable 42 species. Those who feel the
current count date of Boxing Day is less than desirable should be aware that
the Arnprior counts were held on Christmas Day – undoubtedly a reflection of
the unmarried status of its participants!
The second Christmas Bird Count to arise locally was the Pakenham CBC,
initiated by Edna Ross and her brother Allan Ross on December 23, 1925.
Overall, between 1925 and 1939, remarkably not one but two Christmas Bird
Counts were held, at least in part in the area currently covered by the
Pakenham-Arnprior CBC.
In 1970, the count circle (with a standard 7.5 mile radius) was shifted
slightly to include more of the area covered under the original Arnprior Count,
and the name "Pakenham CBC" was changed to " Pakenham-Arnprior CBC" not only to
reflect the change in the count area but also to recognize the two historic
counts from which it arose. The count continues to be held under this name
today.
Between 1913, the year Charles Macnamara and Liguori Gormley set out on foot to
conduct the very first local Christmas Bird Count, to the most recent count
[2012], which had more than 30 participants, a remarkable 120 species have been
recorded."
Preliminary results indicate that this year 48 participants found 48 species,
not surprisingly, given the severe cold weather (-16 warming to -12) and
abundant snow fall lower than the count average of 53 species. Interesting
results were VARIED THRUSH (1 m), GRAY PARTRIDGE (5), WILD TURKEY (220), BLUE
JAY (666 record high is 795) and HOUSE SPARROW (only 127). Record high counts
were EASTERN SCREECH OWL (2, previous record 1), BARRED OWL (8, previous record
3), SNOWY OWL (14, previous record 7) and tied records were BELTED KINGFISHER
(2) and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (2).
HARLEQUIN DUCK (2) continue to be seen near the bottom (east) of the Deschenes
Rapids.
Interesting sightings this past week were:
- HERMIT THRUSH (1) feeding on berries high in a tree on Thorold Rd 100 m east
of Acacia Ave in the Village of Rockcliffe Park on the 21st
- BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER (f, not refound) and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (3) in
Pakenham on the 21st
- RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (1) on O'Hare Rd on the 21st
- WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continues at a Russell backyard feeder
- ICELAND GULL continues at the Trail Rd landfill
- YELLOW-RUMP WARBLER (1, not refound) at a feeder in Pakenham on the 25th
- BALD EAGLE continue to be reported at various locations
Thank you to everyone who contributed bird observations.
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