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22 NORTH LEEDS LANTERN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1990 During this past Christmas season the usual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts were held throughout Canada, the United States, "all Central American countries, all West Indies countries, and the northern rim (Caribbean side) of South America" (S.W. Cress). These counts are taken within 7% mile radius non-overlapping circles, and usually bear the name of the closest town or city to their centres. The results are sent to a central point, and are subsequently published in "American Birds." The North Leeds Birdwatchers (NLB) participated in 3 local Christmas counts in December 1989. Two of these, Rideau Ferry and Westport, were official Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. The third, Delta, (though done by the "Audubon rules") was not registered, and so will not be included by "American Birds." For your interest I have included a resume of the 3 counts held locally, and I hope that you will be agreeably surprised by the number of birds to be found here in spite of the harsh winter. Because the "Lantern" is not published in January, we have a great number of reader sightings to catch up on. I will do my best, but please forgive the omissions. Around November 1 Winona Barker saw a Rough-legged Hawk near her home, and later on November 18, I stopped to look at one that Bob Preston was attempting to photograph as it flew over Highway 15. Pat McManus outdid us, for, on November 19 he not only saw a Barred Owl near the Frayn Road, but also a Bald Eagle beside the Harlem Road. Later, on December 16, Rob Capell spotted another Bald Eagle near the corner of Highway 15 and the Earl Dwyer Road. Winona Barker saw another predator, the Redâ€"tailed Hawk, on November 19, and on November 19 Pat McManus came across "his" Barred Owl again. The NLB were thrilled when, while birding on the Davis Lock Road, they managed to call and "squeak in" a Barred Owl. Another large owl, which may have been a Great Horned Owl, was seen by Steve McManus on December 10. It was sitting on a pole near the Earl Dwyer Road. John Goodman amused himself on December 7 by "having a conversation " with a Great Horned Owl that was calling near his home. Then on December 10, his sonâ€"inâ€"law, Bruce Haskin, discovered a dead Great Horned Owl. It R. J. GREEN EXCAVATINB BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Marg Hendrick was not evident what had happened to the bird. As a matter of interest, this owl reeked of skunk. Great Horned Owls do not seem to mind taking skunks as prey, and are powerful enough to kill and carry them to their nest. Pauline Hockey has observed a Sharp-shinned Hawk at her feeder, and Pat McManus watched while 2 "sharpies" coâ€"operated in attacking Rock Doves. To end the predator sightings is another accipiter, the Northern Goshawk. This magnificent species was seen by Winona Barker on December 14 and by Hector Capell at his feeder on December 29. Few of us are happy when our feeders are raided by accipiters. Yet they have to eat too, so it is natural for them to hunt where birds, their food of choice, are readily available. Great blue Herons were observed by Myrtena McVean in Portland on November 20 and by Maxine Fysh near Jones Falls on November 22. Northern Cardinals are present at various feeders throughout our area. Pat McManus had 2, Clair Mills 1, Bob Preston 3, Moreen Ready 2, the Ray Hayes family 1, and Winona Barker 1. Also, Marjorie Earl spotted one near Forfar, Annette Mess two in the Delta area, and Alice Cairns one at a Morton feeder. Evening Grosbeaks appear at some feeders for a day or two and then move on. Occasionally they remain, as in the case of the 60-70 that enjoy the sunflower seeds at Harrison Peters‘ feeder. Other people who have had visits from Evening Grosbeaks are Maxine Fysh, Sheila Orr, John Goodman and Rene Waterfield. American Goldfinches, in their winter LOCAL CllRlS'l‘MAS COUNTS Delta » Westport Rideau Ferry Dec.18/89 Dec.21/89 _lge_c._28/_82__ Pied-billed rebe l flood duck 1 American black duck 9 Mallard 11 Common oldene e 4 Bufflehead 1 Common meranser 3 8 Bald eale 1 Shar-shinned hawk 1 l Cooers hawk 2 1 Northern oshawk l l Red-shouldered hawk 1 Red-tailed hawk 8 6 6 Rouhâ€"leed hawk 1 American kestrel 1 1 Rim-necked heasant 2 l Ruffed rouse 6 5 11 Rock dove 207 202 526 Mournin dove 5 3O 60 Eastern screech owl 1 l 1 Great horned owl 5 2 Barred owl 1 Down woodecker 19 24 50 Hair woodecker 14 32 6 Pileated woodecker 3 6 6 Blue ‘8 155 12 321 American crow 49 9 270 Common raven 4 l Black-ca ed Chickadee 295 672 818 Red-breasted nuthatch 6 27 10 White-breasted nuthatch 20 61; 95 Brown creeer 5 7 Golden-crowned kinlet 6 American robin la 3 Bohemian waxwin 103 1&7 282 Cedar waxwin 79 26 Northern Shrike 2 2 European Starling 11 293 286 Yellow-rumed warbler 1 Northern cardinal 1. 13 American tree sarrow 173 108 2 7 Chi in sarrow . 1 Song sparrow 3 Dark-e ed 'unco 30 11 25* Snow buntin 15 133 975 Red-wined blackbird Common rackle ‘ 1 Brown-heaed cowbird 10 Pine rosbeak 113 16 Purle finch 16 28 6 House finch 122 106 32 Common red )011 64 122 Pine siskin 59 erican o 0 inc 1 5 110 Evenin rosbeak 34 132 397 House sparrow 396 70 289 JANE MONAGHAN, B.A., LLB. Bulldozer â€" Trucking â€" Extavaror SEELEY'S BAY 387-3566 P.O. BOX I90 ELGIN. ONTARIO KOG 1E0 Uamnur anh Sullmnr plumage, have also turned up in varying numbers at feeding stations. They have been seen at the Goodman, Waterfield, Peters and Hockey feeders. Sheila Orr has had a large flock of goldfinches at hers as well as a group of Pine Siskins and Purple Finches. Pauline Hockey and Rene Waterfield entertain House Finches, and Harrison Peters estimates that 100 House Finches utilize his feeder. Darkâ€"eyed J uncos frequent Sheila Orr's and Hector Capell's yards, and both Hector and Miriam Parish feed good numbers of Mourning Doves. Miriam has also had a Common Crackle visit her feeding station as well as a Red-breasted Nuthatch or two. Indeed, this is a big winter for Redâ€"breasted Nuthatches. They are present at the Barker, Waterfield, Wanless, Fysh and Hendrick feeders. Many have also been seen or heard in the bush. Until 1989 the highest tally of Redâ€"breasted Nuthatches on the Westport Christmas Count was a total of 11 in 1986. On the 1989 count, no less than 27 were listed. Quite an increase! On November 15, Leorene Hayes spotted a large flock of geese but was unable to ascertain of which species. Bill Cutfield saw a mixed skein of Canada and Brant Geese on November 22, as well as Winter Wrens on November 23 and November 24. Bill also reported American Robins towards the end of November, and Marjorie Jackson had a robin in her yard on December 31, January 1, and January 5. Early in December, Pep Burt let me know that there was an Eastern Bluebird on Clear Lake Road, and on December 12, Sheila Orr and a friend were lucky enough to find it. Harrison Peters had a nice flock of Snow Buntings visit his yard. He also has Tree Sparrows at his feeder. These little sparrows are often mistaken for Chipping Sparrows, but unlike the "chippies", they sport a dark spot on their breast. When spring comes they will disappear, for they nest much farther north. Last minute flash! Sheila Orr has a Rusty Blackbird at her feeder. Now that the days are lengthening, before we know it the first harbingers of spring, the Horned Larks, will appear at roadsides! The number to call with your sightings is 359â€"5178, and until next month GOOD BIRDING! GARRY W. BECKMAN, 3.11. Financial Adviser Midland Dohcny Limited Suite 204 255 Albert Street Ottawa. Ontario Canada KIP 6A9 TELEPHONE (613) 359-5108 toll Frau: 1400-2137â€"9315 Office: (613) 23k-3000 Fan: (51:) 235-1026 048.3.» V w , Blend 3 ; ans..ui ‘ ,1_,._..‘.~. 2144*,Muâ€"‘m A“. l. .H. ,4. vi. arm. ‘/‘“>1â€"