Hi Everyone, Through the 2019-2020 winter birding season, a period running from December 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020, a total of 202 species were reported in Ontario. This represents an average year, and comes in at sixth place of the thirteen (13) winters that I have data for. The highest single-season winter list total is 223 species from 2011-2012, while the lowest is 189 from 2009-2010. The median value is 201 species, while the mean (average) value is 204 species in the thirteen (13) years I have data for.
Since my last update to Ontbirds on February 2, 2020, only two (2) additional species have been added to this winter's total. These species are Grasshopper Sparrow found by Stuart Mackenzie north of Long Point and a Yellow-throated Warbler in Port Bruce found by Damian Gorman. The birds most commonly seen in previous winter seasons that were not seen this year are as follows: - Brewer's Blackbird 11/13 (hasn't been seen the last two (2) winters); - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9/13; - Lincoln's Sparrow 8/13; - Yellow Warbler 8/13; - Eurasian Wigeon 8/13; - Indigo Bunting 7/13; and - Nashville Warbler 7/13. The most rare birds observed this winter include: - Great-tailed Grackle 1/13 ( first time seen, photos); - Grasshopper Sparrow 1/13 (first time seen in the 13 winters I have records for but seen Pre 2007); - Common Gallinule 1/13 ( first time seen); - Northern Fulmar 2/13; - Jaeger species 3/13; and - Red Phalarope 3/13. The list can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/myyulvs . As always, please send me an email if you know of a sighting of one of the missing species observed between December 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020, or if you see any errors in the spreadsheet either from this winter or from winters past. Looking forward to the other seasons 2020 has to offer. Todd Hagedorn _______________________________________________ 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
