2017 Guelph Christmas Bird Count - preliminary (and unofficial) results Guelph's 51th Christmas Bird Count took place on Sunday, December 17th, 2017. A total of about 60 participants, working in 13 groups found a total of 12646 birds of 63 species. The 63 species is just below the recent average of 64, with the highest being 70 species in 2008. Standing water was frozen, but fast-moving water was open. Temperatures varied from -10 Celcius to -6 Celcius, with moderate winds. There was about 10cm of snow on the ground. Numbers were generally low. We had one new species for count day: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (though previously reported in count week), and Townsend's Solitaire was reported during count week for the first time, but not on count day :(.
We had record numbers of 2 species, as follows: Bald Eagle 9 (previous high 7, in 2016) Raven 39 (previous high 17) - some double-counting likely involved And we tied the record number for the following species: Merlin 3 (tied with 2014) Eastern Towhee 1 (tied with 2008, 2016) Turkey Vulture 1 (tied with 2006) Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (tied with 6 previous years) Chipping Sparrow 1 (tied with 3 previous years) Peregrine Falcon 1 (tied with 2015) - awaiting details on possible second For low numbers, we had: American Tree Sparrow 197 (10 year average 274) continuing long-term decline American Kestrel 3 (fairly typical of last decade, but well down on long-term average) Ruffed Grouse 3 (fairly typical of last decade, but well down on long-term average) Other unusual records included: Snowy Owl -1, Red-winged Blackbird -1, Brown-headed Cowbird -4. Winter finches were almost non-existent, except for an influx of Pine Siskins (212) and 2 Purple Finch. Thanks to all participants, especially the 13 group leaders, to Dave and Margaret Hull for hosting the tally rally, and Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Guelph for their continuing support. Happy Holidays! Mike - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mike Cadman Songbird Biologist Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada 867 Lakeshore Road Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1 mike.cad...@canada.ca<mailto:mike.cad...@canada.ca> Telephone: 905-336-6295 Fax: 905-336-6434 Government of Canada Mike Cadman Biologiste aux oiseaux chanteurs Service canadien de la faune Environnement Canada 867 chemin Lakeshore Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1 mike.cad...@canada.ca<mailto:mike.cad...@canada.ca> Téléphone: 905-336-6295 Télécopieur: 905-336-6434 Gouvernement du Canada _______________________________________________ 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
