The 48th annual Meaford CBC was held December 28th in balmy, snowless conditions thanks to a spring-in-December day with temperatures rising to +12; no wind, a bit of sun in the afternoon. Georgian Bay was completely open with no ice-edge and most other water bodies were partially open with barely a skim of ice on still areas.
21 count participants found 55 species, continuing the trend of the past 10 years of totaling over 50 species in the Meaford circle, up from the average of 46 over the previous 30+ years of the count. 55 species ranks 4th highest in the all time totals. Total individuals was about on average at 3534 birds. No new species were recorded leaving the cumulative total at 120 species. Interesting sightings included 14 Brown Creepers foraging together which contributed to a new high for this species, and the only new high for the count. A tie for high was made by Horned Grebe at 9. Two American Tree Sparrows were a somewhat unusual low. Missing were the Golden Eagle(s) of the past 6 counts. A Carolina Wren was a count 2nd; 1 Northern Pintail was the count's 4th ever, and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks put in an appearance for only the 3rd times in the past 14 years. Thanks to the dedicated participants who so diligently covered the count areas! Lynne RichardsonCompiler _______________________________________________ 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
