The 37th annual Bruce Peninsula National Park (Tobermory) CBC was held yesterday (December 16). A total of 45 species were found on the count by 26 participants, who trudged through knee-deep, powdery snow!
Although the species total is average for this count, the number of individual birds (1270) was much lower than usual (20 year average = 2155 birds). Wavy conditions made it difficult to see waterbirds on Lake Huron & Georgian Bay. Highlights: -Varied Thrush (1) - visited a feeder in Tobermory for several days. The bird was not seen today; I will report if refound. A photo of the thrush (taken on count day) can be seen here: http://ethanmeleg.blogspot.com/2009/12/varied-thrush-in-tobermory.html -Northern Pintail (1) - new count bird found by veteran birder Joe Johnson -Bohemian Waxwing (27) - small flock flying around Tobermory -Snowy Owl (1) - count week [there are reports of 1-2 Snowy Owls currently in the Ferndale area] -Belted Kingfisher (1) - count week Finch numbers were low: -Pine Grosbeak (7) -White-winged Crossbill (6) -American Goldfinch (184) -Pine Siskin (30) Northern Hawk Owl In other birding news, a Northern Hawk Owl I found 2 weeks ago along Highway 6 near the town of Ferndale, was found dead by roadkill this afternoon. To avert any speculation about factors influencing its death, to the best of my knowledge the bird had not been baited by any birders or photographers. Thanks and have a great holiday birding season! Ethan Meleg Tobermory, ON [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
