The Annual Point Pelee Christmas Bird Count was held on Monday, December 22, 2014. A total of 24 participants were in the field throughout the day. A total of 81 species were found (below average) with an additional 4 species reported during the count week.
The weather was gorgeous and the birding was a little slow, despite the warmer temperatures. Some landbird species were conspicuously absent during the count this year. Highlights of the day included: Eurasian Collared-Dove (2) - these birds have been present since late August and were found just before sunset (thanks Jeremy Bensette), adding a new species to our count list. This is the second record for Ontario's Christmas Bird Counts, and one of few in Canada. For anyone interested in looking for these birds, they have started ranging quite a bit out from Gore Hill Public School - they have been as far west as the Hwy 3 bypass road and as far north as the new subdivision on the bypass. Persistence definitely pays off with these birds. Snowy Owls (7) - as was the case last year, we have many Snowy Owls in the fields just outside the park. They are rarely seen in the park, though this year, one was spotted sitting in a tree (approx 2 m up) at the DeLaurier Parking lot. The most reliable location is the onion fields just north of the park, particularly at the east end of Road E. Golden Eagle (1 juv) - the bird was spotted flying over Shuster Trail in the park. Goldens in the area for the last couple of weeks and we were happy to have one on the count day. Little Gull (1 adult) - Wheatley Harbour, this bird was associating with the Boneparte's Gull, likely the same individual reported a week earlier by Lev Frid. Brewer's Blackbird - the bird was spotted in large mixed flock of blackbirds (off Fox Run Road). The flock did not stick around, however they have often end up at feeders just north of Hillman Marsh at this time of year. Nashville Warbler (1) and Orange-crowned Warbler (2) - along Cemetery Road in Wheatley, as previously reported by Karl Overman. Varied Thrush(1) - while not an official bird for the count (Two Creeks Conservation Area is just outside the count circle), the bird was seen by several individuals that day. Notable misses: Sparrows were in low numbers this year and there were no Savannah, Field or Fox Sparrow reports. Horned Larks were absent and American Pipit was only recorded during the count week. Eastern Bluebirds were not found in any parts of the count circle this year. In all, a great day was had by all. Thanks to the Friends of Point Pelee for continuing to sponsor and support the Point Pelee Count. We all enjoyed a great chili dinner after the count. Good birding everyone and have a wonderful holiday season. Sarah Rupert Leamington ON Sarah Rupert A/Promotions Officer | Agente de la promotion (p.i.) Parks Canada Agency | Agence Parcs Canada Point Pelee National Park | Parc national de la Pointe-Pelée 407 Monarch Lane, Leamington ON N8H 3V4 | 407 rue Monarch, Leamington ON N8H 3V4 [email protected] Telephone | Téléphone 519.322.5700 ext | poste 3323 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada Conserve, Restore and Connect with Nature | Conserver, restaurer et se rapprocher de la nature www.parkscanada.gc.ca _______________________________________________ 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
