Kincardine holds 39th annual Christmas Bird Count

Every December, birders across the globe unite in the world’s largest citizen science project, and collect data on Christmas Bird Counts. These events began as an alternate to the barbaric traditional Christmas side-hunt at which teams indiscriminately shot all birds and mammals just for fun.

The first Christmas Bird Count was held in 1901.

At a typical event, participants gather very early so they are ready to start counting at daybreak. This year, Kincardine conducted its 39th count Dec. 14. It was fortunate the group didn’t have to cancel because a Bruce County squall threatened to close roads.

About 20 participants, equipped with binoculars and smiles, scoured the count circle for their feathered kin. They searched from dawn to dusk and then united for the wrap-up and Christmas dinner. The mild and open winter weather means birds are more widely dispersed and harder to find. Feeder watchers noticed the decline and recorded fewer birds than normal.

A highlight for local birders were the many Red-throated Loons seen in feeding frenzies mixed with several other diving species, such as mergansers. Red-throated Loons are smaller than the Common Loon and hold their beaks on a slight upward angle. They nest in the high Arctic and migrate through the Great Lakes on their way to and from the eastern seaboard. Birders seldom get to see them in their namesake breeding plumage; most birds are in a drabber winter plumage.



Red-throated Loon in breeding plumage; photo by David Karnå

Five species of gulls were seen on count day, including the Bonaparte’s. This small gull is unique in that it nests in trees on the taiga; most gulls nest on the ground. It has a buoyant and graceful flight and eats smaller organisms than its bigger cousins. It has a black head in breeding plumage but seen here in December, it has only a dark dot behind the eye.



Bonaparte’s Gull in winter plumage; photo by Dick Daniels

Winter is a great time for gull-watching because there are about nine species possible. One of the best places to gull-watch is at landfill sites. In summer, just two gulls are abundant here, Herring and Ring-billed Gulls.

Normally, several Snowy Owls are found on count day but this is an off-year and there have been no sightings in the county. One red morph Eastern Screech Owl was found. Screech Owls come in two distinct colours, the more common-place morph depends on region and habitat.



The two colour morphs of the Eastern Screech Owl; photo by Jack Starret

The 62 species found on this year’s count is the second highest ever. The 22 Cackling Geese reported was a new high. Cackling Goose is identical to the Canada Goose in plumage but is only about half the size. Also new to the count this year, was a duck called the American Wigeon.

The American Wigeon is also called "baldpate" because the white stripe on its head resembles a bald man. Wigeons are common here, in season, but have almost all left the county by December.

Local bird-watchers are always amazed at what birds the participants can find even in December. Congratulations and thanks to all who helped out with this year’s count. Following is a complete list of birds seen.

If you are interested in seeing any of these birds or joining the Bruce Birding Club, contact James Turland at jaturland@gmail.com.
 

SPECIES	COUNT		SPECIES	COUNT
Canada Goose	2,073		Belted Kingfisher	1
Cackling Goose	22		Red-bellied Woodpecker	4
Mute Swan	2		Downy Woodpecker	13
Mallard	180		Hairy Woodpecker	5
American Black Duck	8		Pileated Woodpecker	2
American Wigeon	1		American Kestrel	2
Redhead	28		Merlin	3
Greater Scaup	55		Northern Shrike	3
Lesser Scaup	30		Blue Jay	40
White-winged Scoter	8		American Crow	420
Long-tailed Duck	5		Common Raven	19
Bufflehead	55		Black-capped Chickadee	204
Common Goldeneye	66		Horned Lark	2
Common Merganser	47		Golden-crowned Kinglet	1
Red-breasted Merganser	149		Red-breasted Nuthatch	3
Wild Turkey	35		White-breasted Nuthatch	5
Horned Grebe	2		European Starling	1,903
Rock Pigeon	340		Hermit Thrush	1
Mourning Dove	57		American Robin	26
Ring-billed Gull	784		Bohemian Waxwing	1
Herring Gull	920		Cedar Waxwing	84
Bonaparte's gull	13		House Sparrow	21
Glaucous Gull	1		House Finch	53
Great Black-backed Gull	1		Purple Finch	3
Red throated Loon	27		Common Redpoll	1
Northern Harrier	4		American Goldfinch	235
Cooper’s Hawk	1		Snow Bunting	466
Bald Eagle	7		American Tree Sparrow	30
Red-tailed Hawk	7		Dark-eyed Junco	228
Rough-legged Hawk	9		Common Grackle	2
Eastern Screech-owl	2		Northern Cardinal	34