Notes and data submitted
by Andrew Keaveney
Pike Bay CBC
The 7th annual Pike Bay Christmas Bird Count, held on Dec 29, recorded record numbers of birds (2,682) and record diversity of species (51, plus two other species observed in “count week”). The count also had a record high number of participants (20).
Two new species were observed (American Wigeon and Turkey Vulture). Other unusual species included Gyrfalcon (2nd year in a row), Harlequin Duck and Evening Grosbeak (first records on Count Day), Red-winged Blackbird.
Record high numbers of 18 species were recorded, including: 531 Common Redpolls, 13 Rough-legged Hawks, 8 Snowy Owls, 4 Northern Shrikes, 12 Lapland Longspurs, 22 Pine Grosbeaks.
Observers saw record low numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets and no Brown Creepers at all.
Count Week Birds were Great Blue Heron and American Kestrel.
Just missed on Count Week: Sandhill Crane (seen both before and after count week!), Sharp-shinned Hawk and Hooded Merganser.
5th Annual Cape Chin CBC
The Cape Chin count was held on Dec 30. Weather was a contributing factor to the low totals this year. Northeast winds gusting to 37 km/hr with snow, that turned to rain in the afternoon. Ick! With better weather we would likely have had similar record numbers to the Pike Bay CBC although waterfowl are always difficult to come by on this count.
An excellent turnout of participants (20 plus several feeder watchers) recorded a quite average 36 species (41 species including Count Week). They observed a below average 1215 total birds.
New species for the count were: Rough-legged Hawk, House Sparrow, and during Count Week, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Northern Hawk-Owl, and Winter Wren.
Other unusual species included 3 Common Grackles at a feeder and Hoary Redpoll. There were Record high numbers of only 5 species, including: Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike and Lapland Longspur.
Observers noted record low numbers of 8 species including: Horned and Red-necked Grebes, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Bald Eagle, Golden-crowned Kinglet and American Goldfinch.
Count Week Birds (not new to count) included Common Merganser.
Every participant was able to contribute something different and I’m very thankful to all for coming out and enjoying our Bruce birds.
You can see the full results of all Christmas Bird Counts (this year’s and historical) on the Birds Canada or Audubon websites. It’s relatively easy on the Audubon site (www.audubon.org) if you search “Christmas Bird Counts”. Note that the Tobermory results are filed under “Bruce Peninsula National Park”.
