The Orillia CBC took place on Saturday, December 16th. Mild weather with hardly any snow and open lakes made for an enjoyable count, but definitely different. Driving was excellent but we had fewer birds at the feeders and the ducks normally in Lake Simcoe were predominately in Lake Couchiching. Very few gulls at the dump as well where we normally would count high numbers of Herring Gulls (last year we had 2520, this year 673 in our total count). In our 9 areas comprising the Orillia Circle, we had 42 field observers as well as 23 feeder counters. Overall 11,220 individual birds were counted (slightly lower than last year). There were 68 species, which is a new record number for different species counted (last year 62 which also was a new record.)
Eight new species records: Mute Swan, 35 (last record was 10 in 2017)White-winged Scoter, 8 (last record was 4 in 1993 from the records I have)Red-breasted Merganser, 29 (last record was 20 in 2021)Belted Kingfisher, 7 (last record was 3 in 1998/2005/2006/2013)Red-bellied Woodpecker, 19 (last record was 17 in 2022)Brown Creeper, 17 (last record was 9 in 2010)Fox Sparrow, 2 (last record of 1 in 2012)American Goldfinch, 654 (last record was 578 in 2021) Three records matched: Northern Harrier, 2Merlin, 1Song Sparrow, 2 Species missed that are usually counted: Sharp-shinned HawkAmerican KestrelWhite-throated SparrowEvening Grosbeak Thanks to all the participants who helped make 2023 another successful count. Fern SplichalOrillia CBC 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.
