We are approaching the end of December, but the birding continues to be productive with new additions to the list nearly every day. The 200 species plateau has already been reached, and the 2015-2016 Ontario winter bird list currently stands at 201 species. Some of the unusual species added to the list since the last update include Baltimore Oriole, Black-throated Blue Warbler, "Pink-sided" Dark-eyed Junco, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Greater Yellowlegs, Cape May Warbler, Wood Thrush and Lark Sparrow. In addition, two notable rarities were found. A Vermilion Flycatcher is still persisting in Wallaceburg, the location approximately 30 km from the only other winter record (in 1994). An Empidimax flycatcher found on the Cedar Creek CBC on December 19 is being labeled by most as a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, which represents the latest date for Ontario by a considerable margin and the first winter record for Ontario. A number of other rarities are continuing in Ontario as the mil d weather persists, including Bullock's Oriole, Mountain Bluebird, Smew, and Lark Sparrow.
Some of the more regular species that have yet to be recorded include Pomarine Jaeger, Boreal Owl, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Townsend's Solitaire, Varied Thrush, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Brewer's Blackbird. As always, send me a message if you know of a new addition to the list. The list can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/myyulvs . I have also provided a link on my blog, located at http://joshvandermeulen.blogspot.ca/p/ontario-winter-bird-list.html . I try to update the spreadsheet at least once a day or whenever I hear of a new addition. Good (winter) birding, Josh _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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
