Hello all, Winter Birding Challenge In the third two weeks of the challenge we are up to 263 registrants. Participants submitted almost 1900 checklists across the province from 45 of the 50 census divisions. An impressive 160 species were reported including some 36 species of waterfowl, eight species of gulls, three species of loon, eight species of owl, 10 species of finch, and 11 species of sparrows. Some of the interesting species reported were Ross's Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Blue-winged Teal, Eurasian Green-winged Teal, King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, White-winged Dove, Virginia Rail, Purple Sandpiper, Slaty-backed Gull, Pacific Loon, Great Egret, Black Vulture, Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owl, Fish Crow, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Summer Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak. For total species, Chatham-Kent again led the way with 106, followed by Toronto (87), Hamilton (78), Peterborough (74), and Durham (70). For checklists, Peterborough (223) took over top spot, followed by Middlesex (152), Ottawa (143), Toronto (13), and Algoma (118) rounding out the top five. People can explore the results (to the county level) by going to the OFObirds eBird profile: https://ebird.org/profile/MjAxODI1Ng/CA-ON. Results are also posted on the OFO website at: http://www.ofo.ca/winterbirding/results. It’s not too late to sign up for the challenge at ofo.ca under Events/Winter Birding Challenge. Please remember to share your checklists with OFOBirds on eBird to be eligible for prizes. Ontario Birds December Issue The December issue of Ontario Birds has been mailed to OFO members. It will be posted on our website in February. This is the last issue which will be available to non-members, so please join OFO to access the premier birding journal in Ontario. Articles include: a study of Least Bittern Abundance in Ontario, Common Galinule Banding in Ontario, and Loafing and Sleeping Behaviour of Trumpeter Swans. Publish your observations in Ontario Birds Ontario Birds publishes unique research by Ontario’s birders. The editors welcome proposals for articles and research projects. We also publish short accounts of interesting observations. If you would like to contribute, please write to the Ontario Birds editors, Chip Weseloh, Chris Risley, and John Black at editors@ofo.ca. -- Lynne Freeman lynnef.to@gmail.com "Be bold, be brave, be amazing...." Simon de Pury, Work of Art