The 19th edition of the Forêt Larose CBC took place on January 3, 2024. Twenty-three field observers and 5 feeder watchers participated.
The day was mild and overcast with slightly windy conditions and temperatures above freezing. There was no snow cover, and the rivers were mostly open. This year’s count has been poor for northern birds. Snowy Owls, winter finches and others such as Snow Bunting and Lapland Longspur were all absent. *Total Species*: 51 (18-year average = 45.4) *Total Individuals*: 9378 (18-year average = 7042) The following two species bring the cumulative species total to 87 Ring-necked Duck (1) Carolina Wren (1), previously on Count Week in 2014 *Count Week Species*: Gyrfalcon (1) and Golden Eagle (1) *Noteworthy record highs**: (previous highs in parenthesis)* Mallard 60 (59 in 2015) Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 (1 in 2019, 2015) White-breasted Nuthatch 105 (79 in 2019) Brown Creeper 7 (6 in 2019) Golden-crowned Kinglet 27 (21 in 2019) Song Sparrow 7 (4 in 2022) Red Crossbill 5 (4 in 2019) *Noteworthy tied records*: *(previous tied records in parenthesis)* Great Blue Heron 1 (2019, 2015, 2010, & 2006) Red-tailed Hawk 16 (2021) Common Grackle 1 (2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, & 2007) *Notable absences:* Gray Partridge Snowy Owl Evening Grosbeak I would like to thank everyone who undertook this count. Christine Trudeau Forêt Larose 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.
