This year¹s Pakenham-Arnprior CBC (my 51st consecutive one) was held on Boxing Day under very trying conditions. Freezing rain, wind-driven ice pellets, and blowing snow made birding as well as walking and driving a challenge. Temperatures rose from minus 10 to minus two during the day, but the wind made it feel much colder. Despite the difficult conditions, 52 species were tallied, a total only slightly below the ten-year average of 56 species.
Highlights were first records of Eastern Bluebird and Hermit Thrush. The large crops of wild fruit were also responsible for record numbers (273) of American Robins. With most water frozen (in sharp contrast to last year), a Green-winged Teal (a male constituting the second record for the count) was a surprise. Because both the Ottawa and Madawaska rivers were frozen, no gulls were tallied (five species were recorded last year). Also noteworthy were the 9th record of Red-bellied Woodpecker (now expected to be recorded annually), one Hoary Redpoll (well seen in one of the few Common Redpoll groups encountered on the count), and a single Red-winged Blackbird. Apart from high numbers of American Goldfinches (812), finches were near absent. The House Sparrow population continues to fall; a mere 106 were tallied ( 2,011 were recorded in 1985). Fortunately, feeders were very active that day, no doubt a reason why record numbers of Northern Cardinals (57) were tallied, as well as the second-highest total of Dark-eyed Juncos (336). A Great Blue Heron and a Northern Flicker (which would have been a new species for the count) both made an appearance after Boxing Day but during Count Week. A big thank you to the 40 participants who braved the trying conditions on this year¹s count. Michael Runtz _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
