Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Count: 3 January 2022

RT
Ron Tozer
Wed, Jan 12, 2022 4:19 PM

The 48th Algonquin Park CBC was held on Monday, 3 January 2022. Birding conditions were good: a calm, sunny day with temperatures from -27 (a little cool in the morning!) to –8 degrees C, and relatively little snow on the ground making walking easier for the 63 observers. Total species: 30 (average is 27); total individuals: 4,204 (average is 4,579); and birds per party hour: 30 (average is 25, ranging from 4 to 91 over 48 years).

Noteworthy: Merlin: 1, (seen at Old Airfield irregularly since November; 2nd time on count); Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 in Count Week (hunting near Visitor Centre feeders; 7th time on count). Both species are rare here in winter and occur in years with large numbers of finch prey.

Boreal Species: Spruce Grouse: 3 (2 in black spruce northern section of Opeongo Road; 1 at Spruce Bog Boardwalk); Black-backed Woodpecker 8; Canada Jay: 12 (lowest number in 48 years; research indicates decline is due to climate warming); Boreal Chickadee 2 (about 4 km in on the Blackfox Lake portage which starts at the Trailer Sanitation Station; ties lowest counts in 2019 and 2020; highest count was 105 in 1980; decline is likely due to climate warming).

Winter Finches: Evening Grosbeak: 68; Pine Grosbeak: 48; Purple Finch: 5; Common Redpoll: 596; Hoary Redpoll: 1; Red Crossbill: 97; White-winged Crossbill: 1,540; Pine Siskin: 162; American Goldfinch: 166.

Complete count results at:  https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/algonquin_park_birding_report.php#cbc

Special thanks to all participants and Area Leaders, many of whom come long distances to be on this count. Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park CBC Compiler

The 48th Algonquin Park CBC was held on Monday, 3 January 2022. Birding conditions were good: a calm, sunny day with temperatures from -27 (a little cool in the morning!) to –8 degrees C, and relatively little snow on the ground making walking easier for the 63 observers. Total species: 30 (average is 27); total individuals: 4,204 (average is 4,579); and birds per party hour: 30 (average is 25, ranging from 4 to 91 over 48 years). Noteworthy: Merlin: 1, (seen at Old Airfield irregularly since November; 2nd time on count); Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 in Count Week (hunting near Visitor Centre feeders; 7th time on count). Both species are rare here in winter and occur in years with large numbers of finch prey. Boreal Species: Spruce Grouse: 3 (2 in black spruce northern section of Opeongo Road; 1 at Spruce Bog Boardwalk); Black-backed Woodpecker 8; Canada Jay: 12 (lowest number in 48 years; research indicates decline is due to climate warming); Boreal Chickadee 2 (about 4 km in on the Blackfox Lake portage which starts at the Trailer Sanitation Station; ties lowest counts in 2019 and 2020; highest count was 105 in 1980; decline is likely due to climate warming). Winter Finches: Evening Grosbeak: 68; Pine Grosbeak: 48; Purple Finch: 5; Common Redpoll: 596; Hoary Redpoll: 1; Red Crossbill: 97; White-winged Crossbill: 1,540; Pine Siskin: 162; American Goldfinch: 166. Complete count results at: https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/algonquin_park_birding_report.php#cbc Special thanks to all participants and Area Leaders, many of whom come long distances to be on this count. Ron Tozer, Algonquin Park CBC Compiler