Nineteen birders participated in the 16th annual Bradford/West Gwillimbury CBC on Saturday, Dec. 28.
A total of 46 species was seen, bang on the count average. Highlights for this area were Merlin (1), Northern Goshawk (1), Bald Eagle (2), Snowy Owl (7), Winter Wren (1), White-crowned Sparrow (1), Northern Shrike (11), Horned Lark (8) and Common Raven (3). Four excellent species - Golden Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Lapland Longspur, and Carolina Wren - were seen during count week but not on our count day. Compared to some of the weather we've had this winter it was positively balmy with temps at +1 to +3 Celcius. Despite the comfortable conditions waterfowl were almost completely absent due to ice on the rivers and south Cook's Bay. The only "winter finch" was a solitary Purple Finch. We did not add any new species to the cumulative historical total of 97 species but it was a great day out! Bradford is just WNW of Newmarket, halfway between Toronto and Barrie. Ron Fleming, Newmarket _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
