Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count 2022

 There has been lack of subject matter recently with nothing new on my front.  The recent brutal storm did not help matters.  No doubt many birds perished in the storm with the flash-freeze and inescapable wind.  Large drifts formed at tree lines or around buildings or at ditches, while open areas were bare.

Today was the Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count (CBC), so now I have something!

The Wallaceburg Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been ongoing since 1986.  I started in 1987 (wow)! It was always something to get excited about, but in recent years, not so much.  Highlights or mentions were always published in the local media.

I have had various helpers over the years, but many of them have passed on.  Tells you how long I have been doing these!

Wallaceburg has had some really good birds over the years (Black-necked Stilt, Vermilion Flycatcher, Harris's Sparrow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow come to mind).  Of course, we used to record Northern Bobwhite on Walpole Island, but that has not happened for decades.  I believe the Bobwhite have now ceased to exist there, the last place one could count a wild bird.

Vermilion Flycatcher

This year was about average for species, with a decent 81 count.

Sandhill Cranes keep increasing in numbers, and this year was record-high with about 278.

Other highs included Long-tailed Duck at 332, Hooded Merganser at 31, Ruddy Duck at 4.

Bald Eagle was high at 18.  I even found where they nested this past year in my area.  I did not even know it until today when I saw the nest!  The nest could not be seen in the breeding season, but my excuse is that the main road near there was closed since September for bridge repair, and finally opened this past week.

Bald Eagle coming from nest area

Anyway, a good variety of ducks helped in the totals.  I encountered a pair of Wood Duck beside Roberta Stewart Wetland at first light.  Turned out to be the only ones on the count!

There were a lot of ducks along the Chenal Ecarte this year, expecially Mallard.  In the waterbird department, I did find four Pied-billed Grebes (one other was recorded by another party).  Not unusual along the Snye at this time of year.

Sparrow numbers are way down this year, with perhaps the exception of American Tree Sparrow.  A surprise for me at lunch hour were two White-throated Sparrows in the yard!

I did well in my area, finding 47 species.  I do my first walk at Roberta Stewart Wetland, and observe the daily flock of Sandhill Cranes coming from Michigan.

A nice little surprise was an Eastern Screech-Owl peeking out of a nesting box at the old workplace.  (I never had one at this spot before).

The weather was not too bad, but was cloudy most of the day.  The forecast the last several days, had called for more sun, but as usual, it was not too accurate.  However, it was a decent day to count birds and the overall outcome was satisfactory.  On to the next one....