Greetings all,
The 51st Minden CBC was held on Dec. 16th, under mostly clear and sunny skies. There were very cold temperatures recorded immediately prior to the count, causing many of the lakes to freeze. Open water was scarce, reducing waterfowl numbers. Food was plentiful in the woods, however, resulting in minimal activity at bird feeders. The temperatures ranged from -9C to -13C, and we had somewhere between 6-8 inches of snow on the ground. Although data is still trickling in, a total of 44 species were recorded by 27 field observers, about average in diversity. 2 more species were added during count week. About 4000 individuals were observed. Here are a few highlights of the day: Trumpeter Swan - 12 (count high) Bald Eagle - 12 (count high) Golden Eagle (1 CW) Common Loon - 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2 (ties count high) Cooper's Hawk - 1 (ties count high) Rough-legged Hawk - 1 Northern Shrike - (1 CW) American Robin - 3 (count high) Dark-eyed Junco - 275 (count high) Northern Cardinal - 4 Common Grackle - 1 (ties count high) Notable Misses: Gray Jay - continuing to decline in the area, observed 47/51...2 misses in the last 5 years House Sparrow - observed in 49/51, only one known, reliable location left in the count circle Gulls - cleared out with the cold mid-week temps Winter Finches: -present but in relatively low numbers Purple Finch - 21 Red Crossbill - 16 White-winged Crossbill - 4 Common Redpoll - 4 Pine Siskin - 130 American Goldfinch - 430 Evening Grosbeak - 1 Pine grosbeak - 0 Waxwings - 0 Thanks to all the participants for another great count. Cheers, Ed Poropat Haliburton, ON _______________________________________________ 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
