The 46th Meaford CBC was held on Monday December28th in -7 temps, strong biting winds and big waves on Georgian Bay. Despite the weather a totalof 54 species were found – the second-highest total in the past 25 years, thirdhighest in all 46 years (58 in 2012; 60 in 1975). Two new species were added to the count listbringing the 46-year cumulative total to 120:
One Canvasback male in with Redheadsat the Thornbury lagoonsOne lingering Wood Duck. Six new highs and four ties-for-high wererecorded: HighsAmerican Black Duck – 20 (13)Mallard – 376 (220 – numbers rising overthe years; the first 15 years of the count rarely found, or found only a few Mallard)Northern Pintail – 2 (1 & onlyrecorded twice previously)Hooded Merganser – 10 (6, 4)Redhead – 14 (5, on only one previouscount)Red-bellied Woodpecker – 9 (7) Ties Black Scoter – 1 (2008, 2009)Double-crested Cormorant (1 once previous - 1992)Bald Eagle – 5 (2013)Red-winged Blackbird – 1 (1 once previous -1993) NotablesCanada Geese -- 980 - 2ndhighest count (992 in 2001)Northern Shoveler -- 2 - 2nd time recorded (4 in 2008)Redheads – 14 - 2nd time recorded(1998)Common Goldeneye – 45 - a 25 year low Golden Eagle – 2 - 4th year ina row; 1st recorded 2001; counted 8 years since. A definite trend. Purple Finch – 22 - recorded only twicein the last 15 years'Oregon-type' Junco – 1, male MissesAll Owls – understandable given theshrieking winds. Snowy Owl, missed yesterday, was a Count Week species. Northern Shrike Waxwings – a few of both had beenaround Thanks to all the regular participants, and to the CBC/Birds Study Canadawebsite for bringing in a few new excellent recruits! Lynne Richardson, CompilerThornbury _______________________________________________ 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
