Hello Ontbirders,
The Woodstock Christmas Bird Count was held yesterday
(15 December 2007). Strong east winds and heavy
snowfall in the afternoon made it a challenging day -
but at least it wasn't like today's weather. We saw a
total of 60 species, right on the average. There were
2 new species for the count: Turkey Vulture and Hoary
Redpoll. The Vulture was seen by James Holdsworth
along the Thames River west of Woodstock. The latter
were seen by several groups - 8 birds in total. There
seem to be more Hoarys down than usual so it should be
an interesting count season for them.
Other highlights included: 1 Snow Goose (blue phase)
(4th count ever), 1 Cackling Goose (3rd count), 2 Bald
Eagle (4th count, new high), 98 Wild Turkey (new
high), 18 Red-bellied Woodpecker (new high), 12
Northern Flicker (new high), 25 Hairy Woodpecker (ties
previous high), 3 Winter Wren (ties previous high), 1
Eastern Bluebird (4th count), 2 Hermit Thrush (6th
count, ties high), 67 American Robin (new high), 4
Bohemian Waxwing (2nd count, new high), 231 Cedar
Waxwing (new high), 149 Northern Cardinal (new high),
1031 Common Redpoll (new high).
26,316 individual birds were seen, almost exactly on
the average for the last 20 years of counts (26,135).
Most notable misses included White-throated Sparrow
and Pine Grosbeak. The latter are rare on counts here
but were seen by many people in the days preceeding
the count.
Good birding,
Jeff
Jeff Skevington, Research Scientist
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
K.W. Neatby Building, C.E.F., 960 Carling Ave.
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6, Canada
Work Phone: 613-759-1647, FAX: 613-759-1927
Home Phone: 613-832-1970
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
alternate e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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