The 15th Saugeen Shores Christmas Bird Count was held on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 24 count participants and three feederwatchers contributed to the count totals for the day. Temperatures in the morning were a brisk -14C. It clouded over followed by a slight breeze and snow in the early afternoon along with a rise in the temperature to -4C by the end of the count. There was little snow on the ground, flowing water was open and small lakes and ponds were ice covered. The shore along Lake Huron was completely open with no ice-edge. 7578 individual birds of 55 species were noted during the count. This is well above the average for the number of individual birds for the count (high of 12225 in 2015 and a low of 2605 in 2016). The 55 species sighted were just above the average of 53 species. (high of 64 in 2015 and a low of 44 in 2004). No new species were added leaving the cumulative total at 99. Perhaps we will break this total next year! Interesting sightings included: an Eastern Towhee flying with a mixed flock - the second for the count; a Hermit Thrush and a White-crowned Sparrow, both seconds for the count and seen at feeders; two Golden Eagle were noted - they have been seen on 9 of the 15 counts; Bald Eagle at 21 individual birds was the 4th highest number of BAEA but well above the average of 15. Unexpected misses were Mute Swan and American Black Duck, both of which were count week birds.
Norah Toth, Chair Huron Fringe Birding Festival. _______________________________________________ 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
