[Ontbirds]41st. Minden CBC, Saturday, Dec.15

[Dennis Barry]

Hi,
    Weather for this year's count was more typical for "winter" in Haliburton County with early the morning temperature at minus 25 C.  Almost all the remaining open water on Gull Lake froze over during the night, which concentrated remaining waterfowl on Gull River and along rapids and below falls.
    Single Belted Kingfishers were found on Gull and Drag Rivers, the 28th year this species has been recorded.
A single male Ring-necked Duck was the most notable of  the eight species of waterfowl.
    Common Redpolls were the most numerous finches with 564, with more feeder reports to come in.
    The 367 Pine Grosbeaks was a record.  Some flocks visiting feeders numbered several dozen birds, with many bright males among them.  Only 86 Evening Grosbeaks were found, with only one large flock at a feeder on Deep Bay Road.  The rest were mostly in two's and three's.
  Lingering American Goldfinches totaled 20.  One feeder had 9 Pine Siskins, the only ones on the count.
    Highlight of the count was a total of 3 Hoary Redpolls, one of which was a noticeably larger and paler "Hornemann's" Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni hornemanni) discovered by Ron and Doug Tozer at "the Evening Grosbeak feeder" on Deep Bay Road.  Doug photographed the bird and may share if photo quality permits.  My thanks to Ron Pittaway for sharing with me his insights on Hoary Redpoll subspecies.  Stay tuned for further information from him on this topic.
    A Snowy Owl  near South lake was only the second count record.  One daytime Barred Owl near a feeder was typical of others reported recently in similar settings in the area.
    A single male Ring-necked Pheasant visiting a feeder was a count first.  

Minden is in southern Haliburton County along Highway #35.  Anyone wishing details regarding any of the sightings, please e-mail me directly.







Dennis Barry & Margaret Carney

338 Crystal Beach Blvd.

Whitby, Ontario L1N 9Z7

905-725-2116