Hi everyone, The 11th annual Linwood CBC was held yesterday, December 29th. Weather was fairly challenging, with strong, gusty winds and on and off snow throughout count day for the 32 (+2 feeder watchers) participants.
An above average count of 54 species (plus 1 species we're waiting on for documentation) were recorded, plus 3 count-week species to-date. Total number of individuals was fairly high, with 15,099 individuals recorded (average is 12,304), largely a result of the warmer temperatures. One new species was recorded, bringing the cumulative species list to 92: Lesser Scaup - 1 drake in Glen Allan (present since at least the 28th) Several unusual species were present, as well: 1 American Wigeon (4th), 1 Ring-necked Pheasant (3rd), 1 Winter Wren (2nd), 1 Brown-headed Cowbird (2nd), and White-crowned Sparrow (CW - 2nd). The Linwood count circle is known for its high raptor numbers: Turkey Vulture - CW 1 sw of Linwood on the 27th (possibly 8 were observed on count day - waiting for documentation) Bald Eagle - 4 Northern Harrier - 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 3 Cooper's Hawk - 8 Red-tailed Hawk - 95 (ave. 84) Rough-legged Hawk - 102 (ave. 94) Eastern Screech-Owl - 11 Great Horned Owl - 7 (HC) Snowy Owl - 14 (higher than expected) American Kestrel - 7 Merlin - 2 (HC) Waterbirds were present in near-low numbers, largely due to the wintry weather since December 11th. Species, such as House Sparrow, Rock Pigeon, and European Starlings were present in highs, likely due to the warm temperatures on count-day. The biggest miss was Northern Shrike (CW), for the 2nd time in 2 years (never previously missed). Many thanks to all the participants and to my parents for hosting the wrap-up dinner. Link to the map showing the count circle: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1v_MKAk2cYBfqmHk3QDv-d76C_gE&hl=en_US&ll=43.445050430091975%2C-80.47508900000003&z=10 Linwood is located northwest of Waterloo. If you have any questions, etc., please email me privately. Great birding! Ken Burrell kenneth.gd.burr...@gmail.com http://burrellbirding.ca/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
