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O BIRDS OF A FEATHER Christmas bird counts, sponsored by the National Audubon Society, are held annually throughout North America ' as well as in several other regions. These counts run from midnight to midnight during a specified period in December, and are subject to specific regulations. They take place within 7 1/2 mile radius circles, none of which overlap, and these same circles are covered every year. Data on birds are collect- ed, as well as that of weather conditions, wild food available, amount of open water, snow cover, number of participants, hours spent in the field, number of miles walked and driven etc. ' This informatin is sent to American Birds where it is collated. After results are tabulated, ' compared and studied, they are published in American Birds. This publication lists the results of each count as well as the names of - the participants. It also contains charts, graphs' and articles that give an overview of the information gleaned on the year's counts. This not only makes for interâ€" esting reading but also provides ornithologists with plenty of material for further study. Included with this column is a chart showing the results of 3 local Christâ€" mas counts. Each was held within the_ required circle, the centre of which, roughly speaking, is in or near the community mentioned on the chart. The North Leeds Birdwatchâ€" ers (NLB) undertook the Delta count. This is a small group and members are not yet ready to accept responsibility for holding a count every year. There- fore, they have not regiâ€" stered with the National Audubon Society, and this is the reason the Delta count is designated "unâ€" official". However, the participants followed the official regulations, and Annette Mess, who keeps excellent records for the NLB, will have the information on file for future reference. The Westport count was initiated by the Kingston Field- Naturalists, though much of the work is done by local birders. The Rideau Ferry count is under the auspicies of the Rideau Valley Field Naturalists, and once again local birders are active in this count. The weather was beautiful for the above 2 counts, but the NLB experienced a terrible day for their Delta count. It started out grey, and by midmorning it was" snowing. Dampened enthusiasm not withstandâ€" ing, high spirits 'were still apparent at the potluck supper held after- .*_,___._:__V“_'......'â€"‘”m~, "_“â€"â€"Z.;'~'____.. _ ' Down Wood-ecker JAN/FEB wards. There, cheerful conversation was exchanged, good food enjoyed, and laughter abundant in spite of the small number of species recorded on the count. Mary Taylor and Dorothy Read, both newcomers to the NLB, helped out on the Delta count. Mary is the person who let us know about the Cattle Egnet in November. when we saw the egnet it seemed healthy. and was feeding well. However, it would not have taken much of a cold snap toe deplete its food, and it would not last long deprived of sustenance. Such may have have been the case, for the bird was later found dead. Dorothy Read decided to join our group after phon- ing to tell me about a Bald Eagle. _ It carried a Mallard Duck to shore and hungrily devoured it, leaving only the inâ€" testines. Shirley Wimperis observed 3 Bald Eagles on the ice. They had been attracted by something Canada Goose Common Merganser §ald Eagle Shar -shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk . Rou;h-le;,ed Hawk American Kestrel Ruffed Grouse Rin;~billed Gull Herrin; Gull Rock Dove Mournin- Dove Eastern Screech Owl Great Horned Owl Great Gra owl Hairy Woodpecker Pileated Hoodpecker Blue Ja American Crow Common Raven Black-ca ed Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper J Winter Wren ‘ Golden:crowned Kinglet American Robin Bohemian Waxwing Cedar Waxwinp Northern Shrike Euro ean Starlin° _ on November 27, LOCAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS Delta (unofficial) Dec. 17, 1991 55 b.â€" 213 __â€"eâ€"_.â€"__.__,_â€" )â€"- \ll 03%») edible which lay there. A coyote also moved in, but did not stay. One of the eagles took some of the food to a nearby tree and remained there for about an hour. This gave Shirley a wonderful chance to view the bird through her telescope. members of the NLB were watching approximately 5,000 Common Mergansers which had gathâ€" ered on Sand Lake. A Bald Eagle appeared and struck what was probably a merganser. As it hung tightly to its prey, the eagle was pulled completely under the water. It sur- faced, floundering and managed to become airborne, prey in tow. After a few flaps the eagle dropped its prize. Once again the great bird struck and disappeared as before. Finally, the eagle gave up, and shortly thereafter soared in the distance along with an immature eagle which had appeared on the scene. Westport Rideau Ferr Dec. 19 1991 Dec. 27 1991 2 2 1 5 \nâ€"' N O 197 '= p..- ._. E: l 15 15 9 17; Northern. Cardinal m American Tree 5 arrow â€"-_JIE- White-throated Satrow _â€"__ Dark~e ed Junco -â€"’â€"- Snow Buntin “â€"1-“ Re ‘wined Blackbin â€"â€"_- Common Crackle â€"_â€" Pine Grosbeak â€"_â€" Pur le Finch â€"â€"-â€"- House Finch â€"-â€"- Common Red 011 _-_- Pine Siskin â€"_- American Goldfinch Evenin.- Grosbeak House S arrow 178 4 l -6 ' 323 .i- a... n-vlcâ€"w-W " ' ' "' 1992 NORTH lEEDS lANTERN 17 snowy Owls seem to be more prevalent here this year. Tom Scovil, Pat McManus, Ron Taylor, Rose Pritchard and Dave willison have all seen one in difâ€" ferent areas. Hawk Owls have been observed by the NLB, Dave and Lillian willison and Stan Haskins. Dave willison also saw a Barred Owl, and Elizabeth and Andrew Anderson and Owen Mackey were with me when I called in a little Eastern Screech Owl. Winona Barker has heard Horned Owls hooting, and a number of this speâ€" cies will be on the nest by the end of February. To round off the list of owls, a Great Gray Owl was found by Ron Weir near Indian Lake, while he was participating in the Westport Christmas Bird Count. Four Eastern were seen by Haskins and Wimperis on November 19, and Marjorie Earl sighted an American Robin on Novemâ€" ber 25. Pat McManus re- ported a robin on December 12 and my grandson, Andrew Anderson, made my New Year's day when he pointed out a robin in our yard that I had missed. Dave Dalloway saw 3 robins on January 3. Joe Langlois watched an adult Common Loon with 1 young on Novemâ€" ber 20 and Shirley Wimperis spotted a loon on November 21. Shirley also reported 9 American Coots on Novemâ€" ber 4, Evening Grosbeaks November 21, and a mixed flock of Cedar and Bohemian Bluebirds both Diane Shirley Wanings December 31 and January 1. Northern Cardinals are appearing at feeders. Ray Hayes had some arrive late in December and Marjâ€" orie Jackson and Betty Blackman welcomed theirs back on January 9. This species is also a regular at Peggy Muchmore's feeder. Ray Hayes has a large number of Mourning Doves at his feeding station as does Brys Scovil and Mary Muchmore. Lynn Warren had a close look at a Red-tailed Hawk and John and Elsie Goodman watched a Northern Goshawk their feeder. was not the eyeing It certainly bird seed that interested this large predator! Despite the fact this is‘a bird column, I can't resist mentioning that Pat McManus saw a dew worm on December 13, and a sluggish green snake on the snow on December 14. A final word. Congratulaâ€" tions to Bill Cutfield! As a result of his bird course held last year in Brockville, a naturalist group has formed there. Best of luck on your course this year Bill. The number to call with your sightings is 359â€"5178 and until next month. GOOD BIRDING! Marg Hendrick