birdalert@ontbirds.ca

Ontario Rare Bird Alert

View all threads

[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Christmas Count

DM
Doug McRae
Mon, Dec 16, 2019 1:53 AM

Hi all,

Numbers are still coming in so no final totals, but The Presqu’ile Christmas Bird Count was held under difficult conditions (but not as bad as Saturday).  High west winds and occasional snow kept birds down and quiet.

In general most species, especially passerines, seemed very low. Many parties reported long walks with just a few birds seen. The high winds made waterbird viewing difficult as well.  A number of species that have been regular for years were missed. That said, some interesting things were noted:

Black Scoter - male off Lighthouse
Canvasback - female off Calf pasture
Common Loon - one off lighthouse
Dunlin - one seen on tip of Owen Pt.
Purple Sandpiper - 7 seen at Owen Pt., birds were moving around but 7 is the one time maximum.
Snowy Owl - only one (the only owl of the count)
Winter Wren - 2 seen
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - one with 3 Chickadees and a GC Kinglet.  This is a very rare winter bird here.
Eastern Bluebird - 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1

Doug McRae
P.O. Box 3010
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5014 H
613-243-4161 C

Hi all, Numbers are still coming in so no final totals, but The Presqu’ile Christmas Bird Count was held under difficult conditions (but not as bad as Saturday). High west winds and occasional snow kept birds down and quiet. In general most species, especially passerines, seemed very low. Many parties reported long walks with just a few birds seen. The high winds made waterbird viewing difficult as well. A number of species that have been regular for years were missed. That said, some interesting things were noted: Black Scoter - male off Lighthouse Canvasback - female off Calf pasture Common Loon - one off lighthouse Dunlin - one seen on tip of Owen Pt. Purple Sandpiper - 7 seen at Owen Pt., birds were moving around but 7 is the one time maximum. Snowy Owl - only one (the only owl of the count) Winter Wren - 2 seen Ruby-crowned Kinglet - one with 3 Chickadees and a GC Kinglet. This is a very rare winter bird here. Eastern Bluebird - 15 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Doug McRae P.O. Box 3010 Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C