Sixty-six observers undertook this count on Saturday, December 28. Conditions were very good for seeing birds. Temperatures ranged from minus 3 to minus 1 degrees C. The southwest wind reached 10-20 kph occasionally but it was calm in the woods. The sun persisted all day. Maximum snow on the ground was about 25 cm but much less under conifers, making walking relatively easy. All lakes were ice-covered but the Madawaska River was mainly open. Preliminary results follow.
Total Observers: 66 Total Species: 33 (average: 27; highest: 34) Total Individuals: 5,912 (average: 4,579) Birds per Party Hour: 37 (average: 25) Unusual Species for the Count: Belted Kingfisher: 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1; American Crow: 1 High Count: Belted Kingfisher: 2 (previous high 1); American Goldfinch: 942 (932) Low Count: Boreal Chickadee: 2 Winter Finches: Good variety but numbers were lower than some previous years which had a similar huge cone crop. -Pine Grosbeak: 4 -Purple Finch: 647 -Red Crossbill: 194 -White-winged Crossbill: 398 -Common Redpoll: 67 (A few recent S. Ont. reports may be the start of a southward flight.) -Pine Siskin: 822 -American Goldfinch: 942 -Evening Grosbeak: 14 Complete final count results will be posted on the Algonquin Park website: www.algonquinpark.on.ca Thanks to all the participants and those who helped organize and undertake the count and tally event this year. Ron Tozer Algonquin Park CBC Compiler Directions: Algonquin Park is three hours north of Toronto, via Highways 400, 11 and 60. Follow the signs which start in Toronto on Highway 400. From Ottawa, take Highway 17 to Renfrew, then follow Highway 60 to the Park. _______________________________________________ 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
