The 48th Algonquin Park CBC was held on Monday, 3 January 2022. Birding conditions were good: a calm, sunny day with temperatures from -27 (a little cool in the morning!) to –8 degrees C, and relatively little snow on the ground making walking easier for the 63 observers. Total species: 30 (average is 27); total individuals: 4,204 (average is 4,579); and birds per party hour: 30 (average is 25, ranging from 4 to 91 over 48 years).
Noteworthy: Merlin: 1, (seen at Old Airfield irregularly since November; 2nd time on count); Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 in Count Week (hunting near Visitor Centre feeders; 7th time on count). Both species are rare here in winter and occur in years with large numbers of finch prey. Boreal Species: Spruce Grouse: 3 (2 in black spruce northern section of Opeongo Road; 1 at Spruce Bog Boardwalk); Black-backed Woodpecker 8; Canada Jay: 12 (lowest number in 48 years; research indicates decline is due to climate warming); Boreal Chickadee 2 (about 4 km in on the Blackfox Lake portage which starts at the Trailer Sanitation Station; ties lowest counts in 2019 and 2020; highest count was 105 in 1980; decline is likely due to climate warming). Winter Finches: Evening Grosbeak: 68; Pine Grosbeak: 48; Purple Finch: 5; Common Redpoll: 596; Hoary Redpoll: 1; Red Crossbill: 97; White-winged Crossbill: 1,540; Pine Siskin: 162; American Goldfinch: 166. Complete count results at: https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/algonquin_park_birding_report.php#cbc Special thanks to all participants and Area Leaders, many of whom come long distances to be on this count. Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park CBC Compiler -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
