Hi everyone, The Blenheim CBC was held on December 16. Balmy conditions and calm weather made for a slow day but the count ended up with 114 species which is the second highest ever, although we've been over this number 3 times. A quick rundown of the hi-lights follows.
New Species: White-eyed Vireo -- 1 (continuing bird) Baltimore Oriole -- cw (continuing skulking bird) New highs (* denotes tie): Tundra Swan -- 9459 Red-throated Loon -- 70 (part of an influx on Lake Erie in recent years) Turkey Vulture -- 6 Belted Kingfisher -- 5* Red-bellied Woodpecker -- 79 Merlin -- 3 Eastern Phoebe -- 2* Tufted Titmouse -- 19 Other notables: Killdeer -- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gull -- 2 Barred Owl -- 1 (4th overall and first since 1981!) Red-headed Woodpecker -- 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -- 3 Peregrine Falcon -- 1 Marsh Wren -- 6 ( ties second highest) Ruby-crowned Kinglet -- 10 (second highest) Gray Catbird -- 2 Northern Waterthrush -- 1 (continuing at McGeachy's) Common Yellowthroat -- 5 (ties second highest) Low numbers: Horned Lark -- 49 (lowest since 1982) American Tree Sparrow -- 161 (lowest since 1965!) Also of note on the day were at least 4 Eastern Commas, a Map Turtle, and 2 Garter Snakes, one predated by a Red-shouldered Hawk! Thanks again to my mom for a wonderful meal as usual and my dad for his effort with helping compile. And thanks to all of the participants, especially the new ones. Jim _______________________________________________ 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
