ONCD covers much of Caledon as well as parts of Orangeville and Erin. This is the 31st count, beginning in 1987 with a few missing years. The bird count was on Dec 28, a calm day after a week of bitter cold, snow and howling winds. The temperature was from -2 to +3. Unfortunately water ways were frozen from the prior cold spell. We had 48 species which is the best since 2005 (average 39.4 the last five years). Our total count of 3135 is the lowest since 2013 (average 3760 the last five years). The lack of open water really brought down our count of geese and ducks. Record highs: Black Duck – 28; prev 14 (2018) Bald Eagle – 4; prev 2 (2018) Barred Owl – 1; tied 2021 Common Raven – 19; prev 14 (2016, 2019) Red-breasted Nuthatch – 38; prev 32 (2018) Eastern Bluebird – 12; prev 5 (2021). Prior to that there were no sightings. White-throated Sparrow – 4; tied 2002 Evening Grosbeaks were not a record number, but were the first since 2012 and before that 2007. The record is 393 in 1990. There was a large flock of Snow Buntings (greater than 500 based on photographs), and a flock of 36 Bohemian Waxwings. Notable miss: Ruffed Grouse
Russ McGillivray ONCD Compiler -- 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.
