The 82nd Kitchener CBC was held today (December 19th). Despite the warm lead up to the count, today felt like the middle of winter here in Kitchener with the ground snow covered and temperatures hovering around -5, feeling much colder with a brisk wind. Much of the circle saw continued snow fall throughout the day. The conditions were not conducive for finding many species and that is reflected in a somewhat low total species. 60 species have been found on count day, which is average for the last twenty years, but perhaps disappointing with the hope of many lingering species given the weather we have had. Total number of individuals was high at 34,233 (average is 25,075) although that is largely driven by large numbers of American Crows, Canada Geese, and Mallards. No new species for the count were found leaving the cumulative total at 141.
There are still a few feeder counts to come in so some numbers will change slightly. Unusual species: Cackling Goose (2nd record), Trumpeter Swan (2nd), American Wigeon (3rd), Sandhill Crane (3rd), Yellow-rumped Warbler (4th), Gadwall (6th), Rusty Blackbird (9th), Lesser Black-backed Gull (9th), Red-winged Blackbird (14th), Northern Pintail (15th). New highs: Ring-billed Gull (2729, previous high 2030 in 2003), Cackling Goose (3, previous high 1 in 2012), Trumpeter Swan (3, previous high 2 in 2014). Other high counts (20 year average): Sandhill Crane 62 (3.4), Brown-headed Cowbird 64 (5.7), Gadwall 5 (0.5), Northern Pintail 4 (0.7), Hooded Merganser 8 (1.4), Red-winged Blackbird 5 (1.1), White-throated Sparrow 19 (7.8), American Robin 218 (89.6), Bald Eagle 7 (3), Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 (0.9), American Crow 7207 (3302), Wild Turkey 149 (69), Red-bellied Woodpecker 29 (14), Herring Gull 2523 (1221). Low counts (20 year average): Great Black-backed Gull 1 (42.4), American Kestrel 1 (5.5), Great Blue Heron 2 (9.9), Rough-legged Hawk 1 (4.9), Northern Shrike 1 (4), Belted Kingfisher 4 (10.9), Snow Bunting 130 (318.4), Blue Jay 99 (225.9), House Finch 157 (318.7). Notable misses (times recorded on last 20 counts): Great Horned Owl (20), Winter Wren (16), Swamp Sparrow (16), Northern Flicker (15), Common Redpoll (14), Horned Lark (13), Iceland Gull (12), Merlin (10), Ruffed Grouse (10), Purple Finch (10). Thanks to all the counters we had this year and especially to my parents who hosted the post-count meal and compilation. For more information or if you find any "good" (including any of those species listed as misses above) species in the count circle between now and December 22, please contact me privately. Here is a map showing the location of the Kitchener and all other Canadian Christmas Bird Counts: http://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/cbc/index.jsp?targetpg=mapviewer&lang=EN Mike Burrell Kitchener CBC 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 Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
