Rice Lake Plains Christmas Bird Count, January 1, 2014
The first Rice Lake Plains Christmas Bird Count was held on January 1, 2014. Nineteen field observers and 11 feeder watchers tallied 5545 birds of 41 species. One additional species (Purple Finch) was recorded during count week. Like most Ontario counts, the weather was cold with temperatures ranging from -12ºC to -18ºC. Fortunately, winds were light and there was no precipitation. All still water was frozen with moving water only partly open. Highlights included: Great Blue Heron – 1 – a very sad looking bird Bald Eagle – 1 Ruffed Grouse – 38 Wild Turkey – 246 Belted Kingfisher – 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker – 9 Brown Creeper – 13 Carolina Wren – 1 Cedar Waxwing – 821 Eastern Towhee – 1 Lapland Longspur – 1 Common Redpoll – 6 Northern Flicker – 1 Eastern Screech Owl – 10 The only winter finches seen count day were American Goldfinch and the six Common Redpolls. Surprisingly low counts were tallied on American Robin (3) and Northern Cardinal (31). Thanks to all the participants. Special thanks to Alderville First Nation for the use of the Alderville Black Oak Savanna Nature Centre for the count down gathering. Roger Frost Compiler _______________________________________________ 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
