The Pakenham-Arnprior CBC was held on Boxing Day under near-ideal conditions. Temperatures ranged from the early morning low of plus three degrees to plus six by mid-day. Winds were 15 km southwest at 4:30 a.m. but diminished during the day. For the most part, overcast skies provided ideal viewing conditions. The large amount of open water in the Madawaska and Ottawa rivers (largely due to the gale-force winds experienced on Christmas Day) provided high expectations but yielded little beyond the ordinary except a large number of Herring Gulls (47) and two Great Black-backed Gulls. The good diversity (5 species) and numbers (10 individuals) of woodland owls were a reflection of a large population of Peromyscus; however, Great Horned Owls continue to be scarce (only one was recorded).
The 55 species total was above average (53 species is the 10-year average) but the 4,770 individuals was low (9,847 were tallied in 2008). No new species were added to the cumulative count list (which stands at 120 species) but, as always, there were highlights: Northern Pintail (1), 3rd time recorded on the count Great Black-backed Gull (2), 10th time recorded on the count Golden Eagle (2), 5th time recorded on the count, ties record high count Long-eared Owl (1), 2nd time recorded on the count, ties record high count Northern Saw-whet Owl (2), 7th time recorded on the count, record high count Red-bellied Woodpecker (2), 7th time recorded on the count, ties record high count Winter Wren (2), 3rd time recorded on the count, record high count Also: record high counts were recorded for Bald Eagle (28!) and American Crow (427); Eastern Screech-Owl (2) ties the record high count. Additionally, Black-backed Woodpecker (1) was notable, as was the total for Barred Owl (4). Northern finches were near absent: Pine Grosbeak (2), Purple Finch (2), Red Crossbill (1), Pine Siskin (3). There were notable absences: No Cooper¹s Hawks, Northern Goshawks, Horned Larks, waxwings of any species, or Evening Grosbeaks were recorded. The lack of waxwings and the tally of a single American Robin were a reflection of the paucity of fruit. House Sparrows (98) continued their decline (2,011 were tallied in 1985). Count Week species: Great Blue Heron, Evening Grosbeak Other notes: this was my 49th consecutive ONPA count. Happy Birding in the New Year! Michael Runtz _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] 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
