Gravenhurst-Bracebridge 2000 Christmas Bird Count

reported by Al Sinclair

The Gravenhurst-Bracebridge Christmas Bird Count was held on December 17 with 29 observers in 9 groups covering the 15-mile diameter circle centred between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. The weather couldn't have been worse for bird counting, rain all day, and fog. To make matters worse the snow cover was deeper than normal and the unusually cold weather before the count froze most of the lakes and rivers. So despite valiant efforts by the counters we set a new count low for number of species seen , 24, well below the 10-year average of 38.7. The number of individuals was also low at 2892.

But there were some highlights. We had a new bird for the count, a Northern Hawk Owl! This winter a good number of them have been seen in southern Ontario indicating a low in the rodent cycle up north. Ours was on South Monk Dr. First seen on November 30, it's been around almost daily since and was counted at 2:30 PM on count day. There were three new count highs, Mourning Dove 309, Dark-eyed Junco 55, and American Goldfinch 591. Few water birds were found, but there was a late Common Loon on Lake Muskoka. It was seen from Brydon Bay Rd., the same location as the one on last year's count. After slogging though wet snow along Lakeshore Dr. several times to scan the lake, Eleanor Wellman and Sylvia Purdon finally found the only duck in the entire circle, a lonesome male Common Goldeneye. (There could have been ducks on the other side of the lake but Bracebridge counters couldn't find them in the fog.) In their area Eleanor and Sylvia also found an owl sitting on top of a pole. But after watching it for a few minutes and not seeing it move they decided it was just another one of those lifelike plastic decoys. The Gravenhurst team will not be fooled again! There were no hawks seen count day, even the Red-tail that was flying around the Bracebridge dump the day before couldn't be located. The only Northern Shrike was see in the field behind Monk Public School. There were 2 Cardinals in Gravenhurst but the Bracebridge team struck out again even though they had been seen recently at three different feeders around town. American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin were the only finches seen which was disappointing. The biggest flock of Goldfinches, at least 150, was at a large feeding station on hwy 118E. A few Crossbills were flying east of Hwy 11 the week before but none ventured out in the rain count day. It appears Gray Jays don't like rain either as none could be found at their usual feeders. Evening Grosbeaks were missing for the first time in the 21-year history of the count and House Sparrow, once a common species in Muskoka towns, was missed for the second time. Click on the Christmas Bird Count Data link below for a complete list of species seen.

So why was the number of species so low? The rainy weather has to take some of the blame since the Minden and Huntsville counts reported about average numbers. The birds weren't moving in the rain and fog making them harder to find. Also, the cold weather before the count froze most open water pushing out the ducks, last year 6 species, and this year 1. It also reduced the gull species from 4 to 1. Species that normally winter further south were not found except Common Loon, maybe because of the early snow. Finally, the winter finches haven't arrived as usual, 4 species last year, 1 this year.

The team competition between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge ended in a tie, 20 species each. Looks like Bracebridge is getting a little over confident after last years win. It was good to see that Gravenhurst had more observers this year, in fact a few more than Bracebridge. The potluck following was well attended by counters and MFNers and well organized by Heather Harris and her team of helpers. Thanks to all for making it a great day.

GRAVENHURST TEAM

G1 - Bob, Scott, Andrew & Connie Bowles

G2 - Eleanor Wellman, Sylvia Purdon, Dan Burton

G3 - Cyril & Marion Fry, Frank Levay

G4 - Rosemarie Hinzmann, Ron, Eric & Naomi Stager

G5 - Margaret Beard, Gill & Carol Hunter

species seen = 20, individuals counted = 1173

BRACEBRIDGE TEAM

B6 - Al Sinclair, Linda Boone, Heather Coupland, Stephanie Lehman

B7 - Jon Grandfield, Virginia & Kenn Pray

B8 - Bob Burton, Tom Smith

B9 - Joan & Lou Spence, Mary & Gerald Wilmott

species seen = 20, individuals counted = 171

WEATHER: Rain, +2/+5 C (36/41F), SNOW COVER 25 cm (9.8"), WIND none

TOTAL PARTY HOURS: 52 hrs, 45 hrs. by car, 7 hrs. on foot

TOTAL PARTY KM: 659 km(409mi), 651 km(404mi) by car, 8 km(5mi) on foot


CHISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

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