Bird Counts Approaching!

The official Christmas Bird Count period starts this Friday, and many birders will start counts this weekend.
Many of us participate in certain counts every year without fail.  For example, the Kettle Point CBC is this Saturday and the Cedar Creek CBC as well.  I always work the Kettle count as it is Lambton Wildlife's (Sarnia) home count.
The first Sunday of the count period is the Blenheim/Rondeau CBC.  Many of us diehards have been doing this one for a long time--some much longer than me!  It is usually one of the better counts, and in the past has sometimes topped the province.  In mild years, such as the present, Rondeau Bay can produce a wide variety of waterfowl which will add to the tally. This count almost always exceeds 100+ species.
Count day usually ends with a  get-together where a hearty meal is served and the day's tallies are compiled. It is usually a fun time as we keep our finds quiet until the end.  Some surprises are always announced such as a new count species, or something rare/uncommon.
In winter, a neat warbler (other than Yellow-rumped) can be a good find.  Three years ago Jim Burk and I found a Northern Waterthrush at Erieau a week before the CBC.  Luckily the 'worminator' was able to find it a week later for the count!

Northern Waterthrush at Erieau 13December2009

Usually, warblers found this time of year are attempting to winter for whatever reasons.  They will stick around  as long as food is available.  A Chestnut-sided Warbler would be unique!!

Sandhill Cranes are good finds in the winter.  Many years ago it was unheard-of to see them in winter, but with the increase in numbers, and milder winters, they can be found.  We finally got some for Wallaceburg CBC recently.

Point Pelee Winter Scene

With birders beating the bushes during CBC's, many good birds are found.  These will make good additions to the winter list for the Ontario Winter List , already off to a good start.  A Nashville Warbler was found today by none other than Josh Vandermeulen

Notable winter birds will also be recorded in North American Birds (NAB).  For this winter we have a new writer in the name of Josh Vandermeulen.  He will be writing the Ontario Winter Report as I recently handed it over to him.  (I have now moved to the Summer Report, so you still have to put up with me!).
Please send your notable sightings to your local regional compiler as noted on a recent Ontbirds message by Alan Wormington . Don't just 'dump' them on eBird!

Winter Scene, Rondeau South Point Trail

Let the counts begin!  (Even though it will be raining, yet again, this weekend).