[Ontbirds]Strathroy CBC - December 22, 2007

[CAROL SKINNER]

The Strathroy Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 22, 2007.  This was the 12th consecutive year for the count.  The weather was quite mild.  It was overcast, with temperatures between 3-5 C.  And the rain held off!!!  16 field participants and 5 feeder watchers tallied 36,520 individual birds, with 58 species.  The average for this count is 55 species.

There were 3 new species for the count:

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Bohemian Waxwing - 1
Pine Grosbeak - 5

There were 6 record highs for the count:

Cooper's Hawk - 12
Wild Turkey - 258
Greater Black-backed Gull - 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 59
Northern Shrike - 5
American Crow - 24,003

American Pipit and Bald Eagle were recorded as Count Week birds.

Thanks to all the participants for their endeavours.  And thanks to Carol and Maureen, for putting together the chili supper.

Dave Skinner
Strathroy, Ontario