On Saturday, December 18, 2021 the Wye Marsh Christmas Bird Count count was held in our area. The Midland Penetanguishene Field Naturalist Club organises the count with 36 volunteers divided up into 17 areas.
Wyebridge is the centre of our 15 mile radius count circle. This area encompasses the Wye Marsh and Tiny Marsh. The day was overcast in the morning with snow beginning just before lunch and continuing throughout the afternoon. Temperature was between -5C and -2C. The wind was light to moderate with Georgian Bay open. The day was successful with 61 different species seen with a total count of 4,601 individual birds. The most individual birds counted since 2012.and a tie for the record of our highest number of species. (also from 2012) We had several new high counts for various species this year: 120 Trumpeter Swan - prev. high 92, 2004; 25 American Black Duck - prev. high 19, 2015; 17 Ring-necked Duck - prev. high 11, 2012; 25 Long-tailed Duck - prev. high 4, 2014; 88 Hooded Merganser - prev. high 69, 2011; 679 Rock Pigeons - prev. high 672, 2019; 10 Red-bellied Woodpecker - prev. high 9, 2016 1 species tied its previous high count: 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - prev. high 1, 2008, 2017 And 1 new species, never seen on our local Xmas Bird Count before, was added to our count list: 1 Northern Flicker Both the Flicker and the Sapsucker have been visiting the same suet feeders in Penetanguishene. We were not able to have our wrap up pot luck this year (we zoomed instead) but may do something in June to continue our annual support for the McKeever Owl Foundation in Vineland. Fundraising for this worthy organisation is traditionally a part of our Christmas Bird Count Wrap Up/Potluck Party. Thanks again to all who took part. Mark your calendars for next year Saturday December 17, 2022. Dave Schandlen, Christmas Bird Count Coordinator Midland Penetanguishene Field Naturalist Club -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to: [email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
