The 85th Kitchener CBC was held Saturday, December 15th with relatively warm conditions and a high of 3oC. Previous snow had melted so walking and driving was easy with lots of green grassy lawns and fields as well as some muddy patches. Creeks and rivers were mainly open water but ponds and standing water was frozen. Due to the warm conditions, birds were not as concentrated in their usual areas and total numbers and species observed seemed somewhat lower than other years. Waterfowl were plentiful. A total of 63 species were found on count day, which is right on average for the last twenty years (62). The total number of individuals was average at 26,334. High counts were Canada Geese (6,923), Mallards (3,093), Common Goldeneye (389)and Common Merganser (338) as well as American Crow (5,500). Above average numbers of woodpeckers were reported including Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy and Pileated. European starlings and house sparrows have declined. Exciting new species for the count were observed including Townsend's Solitaire (1) and Double-crested Cormorant (4) as well as uncommon species such as Trumpeter Swan, Rusty Blackbird, Common Raven, Gadwall, Barred Owl, White-crowned Sparrow and Tufted Titmouse. The Solitaire continues to be seen sporadically, and represents the second ever record for the county. Bald eagle numbers were at an all time high with 26 individuals seen, up from 12 in 2017 and a 20 year average of 5. A total of 79 volunteers came out to count birds for a collective 127.6 hours of effort, including 16 feeder watchers. Unusual species (number of occurrences in last 20 years): Trumpeter Swan (5th), Gadwall (5th), Common Raven (4th, seen in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018), Barred Owl (4th record), Carolina Wren (10th), Rusty Blackbird (2nd), Brown-headed Cowbird (7th), Evening Grosbeak (3rd) and White-crowned Sparrow (3rd). No new high counts were found, other than Bald eagle, listed above. Other high counts (20 year average): Gadwall 15 (1), Bufflehead 42 (16), Great Blue Heron 19 (10), Cooper's Hawk 12 (8), White-throated Sparrow 17 (10), Rock Pigeon 1129 (683), Mourning Dove 1184 (642), Eastern Screech Owl 33 (13), American Crow 5524 (4319). Low counts (20 year average): Wild Turkey 55 (99), Ring-billed Gull 177 (792), Herring Gull 281 (1075), American Robin 61 (112), European Starling 1878 (4284), House Sparrow 708 (973). Notable misses (times recorded on last 20 counts): Northern Harrier (14), Horned Lark (15), Great Black-backed Gull (17), Snow Bunting (19). Many thanks to all participants and area leaders, and special thanks to Virgil and Beth Martin for hosting the post-count wrap up and potluck. For more information, please email us privately. Here is a map showing the location of the Kitchener Christmas Bird Count: https://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/cbc/maps/ONKT.pdf Ethan and Elaine Gosnell Kitchener CBC Compilers _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
