114th CBC Ontario Regional Summary

By Sarah Rupert

A total of 110 Christmas Bird Count circles reported in the Ontario region. Counts were conducted in several other circles during the 114^th reporting period; however, data were not submitted in time to be considered here. New counts were started in Brantford and Rice Lake Plains this season.

Weather was the big story in Ontario this year during the count period. Winter weather conditions set in by late November, much earlier than normal, and remained throughout the count period. All counts but one reported snow and much colder than average temperatures. This, coupled with the early and extensive freezing of the Great Lakes, had impacts on the count results, particularly in the south. A lower than average number of species was reported on most counts, especially waterfowl. Some counts experienced extreme weather conditions on the days leading up to their counts or during the count day and in some cases had less coverage of their circles than normal. The Southern and Central Ontario regions were also hit by an extreme ice storm from December 20-22 and compilers with counts in this region noted significant impacts, both in habitat and species in the days during and after the severe storm. Several counts were postponed this year due to snowstorms.

Only one count, Lakeshore, reported no snow during the 114^th period.  The maximum snow depth was 152 cm in Meaford, only a fraction of what was recorded in that area during the rest of the winter.  Temperatures on the counts ranged from the high of 6⁰C in Wallaceburg to a low of -29⁰C in Pembroke and Westport.  Most still water was frozen or mainly frozen, while open water ranged from partly open to frozen, though the majority of counts were partly to completely frozen.

In all, 3077 observers were present in the field this season, up considerably from last year. Congratulations to John Harvey who participated in his 60^th consecutive count at Woodstock! An additional 1066 individuals counted at feeders, down slightly from last year, despite the colder temperatures. The observers logged a total of 68,205 party km (42381 miles) and 7417 party hours. Owling was conducted in 56 count circles this year, with 1576 km (979.5 miles) and 197.5 hours logged. A total of 177 species (13 fewer than last year) and 1,073,099 individuals were recorded, down 25%.

Counts on the Great Lakes continued to be the most productive, even with significant reductions in the amount of open water. For the first time in many years, no counts logged more than 100 species. Blenheim and Hamilton tied for the top spot with 98 species, followed closely by Toronto with 97 species. Kingston tallied 96 species, Niagara Fall 93 species, Long Point and Woodhouse Township tallied 92 species each, with Point Pelee rounding out counts in 90s with 91 species. The majority of counts recorded less than average numbers of species, with the majority averaging 40-50 species this year. 

Seed crops were good in the boreal forest this year and winter finches were few and far between in the southern part of the province. However, this was a spectacular year for another irruptive species in Ontario: Snowy Owl. Snowy Owls began arriving in north-eastern North America in very high numbers in late November and this movement led to an all-time high count of Snowy Owls for the Ontario region, with 284 individuals recorded, over the previous record of 161 posted during the 92^nd count period. Additional individuals were counted during the Count Week, with 55 counts recording Snowy Owls, compared to only 27 circles last year. Other northern owls, like Great Gray and Northern Hawk Owls were again found sparsely in the province.

It was also an excellent year for white-winged gulls, especially on the southern Great Lakes, with many more Iceland and Glaucous gulls reported in the 114^th period than in recent years. The white-winged gulls arrived early and lingered late into the winter months this season.

While the numbers did not approach record highs, Common Ravens were reported from many southern Ontario counts, a trend that has been increasing over the last few count periods. Red-bellied Woodpeckers continued their winter range expansion, being reported as new species on counts, especially in Eastern Ontario, even while their numbers were down to 1016 individuals versus 2373 reported during the 113^th count period. Northern Cardinals also continue to be found farther north each year, most associated with bird feeding stations. Bald Eagle numbers continue strong in the province with 738 individuals recorded, though down from last year’s record 1082, as numbers were not as strong in the north last year. Despite the cold temperatures, Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures were reported in the province, with the latter found at the same roost site in Niagara Falls for the fourth consecutive year. An amazing 78 Turkey Vultures were reported on the St. Thomas count, more than the rest of the province combined.

Due to weather conditions and extensive ice on the Great Lakes, waterfowl numbers were down this year – especially at noted staging areas like Point Pelee, Rondeau, and Long Point, where merganser and scaup numbers were a fraction of the usual totals.  Areas along the Lake Ontario shoreline that remained open during the count period had high concentrations and diversity of species.

Songbirds were a rare commodity this year, with only three species of warbler reported on counts this year (Yellow-rumped, Pine, and Common Yellowthroat), with an additional two species (Nashville and Orange-crowned) reported during the count week period.

Other significant sightings include:  Greater White-fronted Goose  (Blenheim, 8), Black Vulture (Niagara Falls, 5); Gyrfalcon (Cape Croker, 1); Pomarine Jaeger (Hamilton, 1); Varied Thrush (Manitoulin Island, 1); Orange-crowned Warbler (Hamilton, count week); Nashville Warbler (Peel-Halton, count week); Vesper Sparrow (Point Pelee, 2).

This is my last report as Regional Editor for Ontario. I took on this job for my late father in 1996 and the time as has come for me to pass on the torch to someone new. Thanks to all the compilers for their dedicated work over the years. I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of you and have looked forward to reading your enthusiastic reports. Thank you for a great 18 years.

Good Birding

Sarah