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Bohemian Waxwings were a common sight during this year's Christmas Bird Count

Other highlights include Glaucous-Winged Gull, Black Scoter, and Peregrine Falcon
2020-12-128 Joy Cohen Bohemians
Bohemian Waxwings. Photo courtesy of Joy Cohen

NEWS RELEASE
SAULT NATURALISTS
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Despite the snowfall in the morning and what appeared to be a general lack of birds at feeders, the 65th annual Sault Ste. Marie Christmas Bird Count which took place on Dec. 19, was a very successful day in terms of the numbers we recorded.

In total, we recorded 63 species on count day for a total 10,914 individual birds. Our total number of field observers was down this year – only 57 – but that was expected since groups had to be kept small this year. We did have 38 feeder watchers though, which is a good increase over what we had last year.

The highlight was a female Barrow's Goldeneye in the St. Marys Rapids. This species was on the count’s list because of a count week observation back in 1956, so now we get to add it to our count day list, bring the all-time total to 132 species. Other highlights were a Red-Winged Blackbird, three Hermit Thrushes, two Ruddy Ducks, a Brown Thrasher, two Harlequin Ducks, two Belted Kingfishers, and a Cooper's Hawk.

For count week, we had three additional species: Glaucous-Winged Gull, Black Scoter, and Peregrine Falcon. The Glaucous-Winged Gull is an extraordinary bird for here. It was found on the 18th, the day before the count. This species is typically found on the west coast and marks a first-ever record for Ontario. Sadly, despite everyone's best efforts, it was not found on count day or anytime since then either. It could easily still be around though, so keep looking! The Black Scoter was seen flying up the St. Marys Rapids on the day following the count and is a new addition to the count week list. So, with the addition of Glaucous-Winged Gull and Black Scoter, but the removal of Barrow's Goldeneye, the all-time 'count week only' list sits at seven species now.

The most abundant species were European Starling (3,333), Black-Capped Chickadee (1,654), Bohemian Waxwing (1,507), Mallard (1,306), and Rock Pigeon (706). New all-time highs were set for Northern Cardinal (28), Hermit Thrush (three), Red-bellied Woodpecker (10) and Belted Kingfisher (two).

The full results can be found on the Sault Naturalists website.

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