The eleventh annual Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 18, along the spectacular southeastern coast of the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula. It was a cloudy day with generally easterly winds (8-18 kph). Snow started to fall around 9:30 a.m., amounting to about 6 cm over the course of the daylight hours. Temperatures remained relatively constant at around -1°C (falling to -1.7°C by 4:00 p.m.). The waters of Georgian Bay and streams were open, but non-flowing inland waters were partly ice-covered, with only a few cm of snow on the ground. Sixteen participants tallied a total of 39 species, very close to the average of 39.7. The 1,034 individual birds counted was very close to the average of 1,027. There were no big surprises, but a Northern Saw-whet Owl (only the second-ever count) and nine Pine Grosbeaks were nice finds. High counts were tallied for five species: Ring-billed Gull (30 reported at the Nawash dump, previous high 9), Red-tailed Hawk (4, previous high 1), Rough-legged Hawk (4, ties previous high), Great Horned Owl (4, previous high 3) and Common Redpoll (87, previous high 68). Low counts were recorded for Long-tailed Duck (1, average 12), Herring Gull (46, average 139) and Golden-crowned Kinglet (3, average 9, or is this a measure of aging ears?). Notable misses were Horned Grebe, Pileated Woodpecker and Brown Creeper (each missed on only one previous count). Winter finches were limited to the Common Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks, although a flyover flock of 45 “finch sp.” imparted a boreal vibe. Count week birds included a Snowy Owl and Ring-necked Pheasant. Chi Miigwetch to Neyaashiinigmiing (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation) community for hosting this always special birding event. Jarmo Jalava and Miptoon (Anthony Chegahno)