Simcoe County Bird and Nature Board.
POSTS MUST INCLUDE FULL NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS OR THEY WILL BE DELETED FROM THE BOARD. Banners at top of page cannot be blocked but are not part of the page. BOB BOWLES
Orillia Christmas Bird Count Posted on December 19, 2016 at 05:01:53 PM by Nancy Ironside
On December 17th Lake Couchiching was frozen, even at the narrows, but Lake Simcoe provided many flocks of ducks, and the dump yielded its usual good collection of gulls.
53 species were recorded for a total of about 7698 individual birds – about low average for most years. No new species were added, but three birds had new highs: Greater Black- backed Gulls at 132, with a previous high of 118 in 2001, Red-bellied Woodpeckers were found by 5 of the teams for a total of 6 birds. The previous high had been 3 in 2009. 14 Bald Eagles were found, mainly at the Landfill site. Previously high was only 3 in 2001.
Other birds of note: Robins 15, Eastern Bluebirds 4, 2 Owls – Great Horned and Barred, and 7 Snow Buntings feeding in a field. The winter finches were disappointing. There were 204 Goldfinches (the previous high was 559 in 1994), and 3 House Finches and 4 Purple Finches were sighted. 2 Evening Grosbeaks were seen during count week.
Because of the deep snow most birds tended to congregate at feeders, and the Wild Turkeys were seen mainly in trees.
Replies: There have been no replies.
Post a reply:
Contact Bob Bowles if you have questions about the Simcoe County Bird and Nature Board