Christmas Bird Count

"The annual Christmas Bird Count demonstrates the enduring trends we see in bird populations over the years.” This is what I wrote about last year’s Christmas Bird Count for Stratford and it applies this year, too. Last December 30, 2017, 23 SFNers observed slightly fewer bird species that we normally do in the Stratford circle, 39, and fewer individual birds, only 6,639. However, the species were virtually the same as the year before. We found all of the species seen last year, save 4 and no new species were found. The species seen the year before, but not this year included: Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, and Ring-billed Gull. These are birds not uncommonly seen here in winter, but not on this day. Once again winter finches were scarce.

Our list is short and stable compared to other counts around us. This is due, I think, to the fact that we count late in the CBC season. By the time we count near to the New Year, most migrants have left, especially if the water is frozen, and what is left are the resident winter birds. The weather is always a factor too. While it was bright and sunny, but cold, when the count day began, during the day at various intervals snow streamers blew across Perth County. It was sunny one minute and the next drivers could not see the road for the snow blowing across the windshield. Several parties packed it in early in the afternoon.

Nevertheless, a continuing story for us is the continuing presence of Turkey Vultures in the winter. This year 9 were found hanging out at the Stratford landfill site. This is the third year in a row that we have found them on count day. Thankfully Stratfordites are still discarding enough appealing garbage to keep our birdwatching interesting here.