The 2nd Sandbanks Christmas Bird Count was held Tuesday December 20. Weather -3 to +2 Celsius with an onshore SW wind (31-68km/h)Snow 15 -60+cm on the ground 23 Observers smashed last year count of 79 species with preliminary total of 96 species (26,864 birds) + 4 count week species. What was more impressive they did it with both East and West Lakes and their marshes frozen this year and Lake Ontario having 2 to 4 metre waves (6-13ft waves)! The total species recorded for this count now stands at 109 species after 2 years. With a good crop of Red Cedar berries ,Riverbank Grape and buckthorn berries present, the berries foraging species numbers were phenomenal: 8042 American Robins, 6190 Cedar Waxwings, 34 Eastern Bluebirds, 14 Yellow-rumped Warblers, and 43 Purple Finches. Approximately 2500 hectares of this count circle is primarily Red Cedar. Waterfowl 20 species including 2 King Eiders, 4 Black Scoters 3 species of swans and count week Harlequin duck and Snow Goose Raptors 12 species including 14 Turkey Vultures, 1 Golden Eagle, 9 Bald Eagles, 2 Northern Goshawks, 3 Rough-legged Hawks and a Peregrine Falcon Owls: Singles of Short-eared, Snowy and Barred Owls Shorebirds: 1 Wilson's Snipe and 2 American Woodcocks 2 Eastern Meadowlarks5 American Pipits597 American Tree Sparrows1259 Dark-eyed Juncos1 Evening Grosbeak15 Red-bellied Woodpeckers4 Pileated WoodpeckersRed-throated Loon and Bohemian Waxwing (count week)
Sandbanks count is centered near Sandbanks Provincial Park. Prince Edward county. Thanks to all who participated and see you next year. Happy Holidays, Tyler Hoar _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
