The 16th Collingwood Christmas Bird Count (ONCO) was held on Dec. 27. Weather was reasonably good for the day with no precipitation, temperatures hovering just above freezing and a modest snow cover in most areas. A brisk SE wind was most noticeable along the Georgian Bay shoreline. A total of 17 participants counted a total of 51 species this year, below the long-term average of 58 and well below the high count of 67 species, achieved two years ago. The total number of individual birds this year, at 4,693, is well below the long-term average of 6,991. A cold snap, and the freezing of Georgian Bay near-shore areas, a week before the count, may have convinced some lingering birds to move further south. The overall low number of individuals can largely be attributed to very low counts of just a few common, and typically abundant, species (geese, gulls, pigeons and House Sparrows) with below average counts for doves, crows and chickadees also contributing. Additionally, we saw none of the irruptive species (Bohemian Waxwing, Snowy Owl or winter finches) that periodically add to the species count. Notable misses, of birds typically seen, included Great Black-backed Gull, Cedar Waxwing and Snow Bunting. On the other hand, we had record high counts for Mute Swans and Greater Scaup and lingering, more unusual species such as Redheads, Black Scoter, Horned Grebe, Northern Harrier and Carolina Wren were also recorded. Bonapartes Gull was a new species for ONCO, bringing the total species count across all years to 107. Thanks to all the volunteer counters for their enthusiastic efforts once again this year. Ted Down Collingwood ON