GRAVENHURST-BRACEBRIDGE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 1999 by Al Sinclair 1999 is the 100th anniversary of Christmas Bird Counts in North America and the 20th anniversary for the Gravenhurst-Bracebridge count. In 20 years of counting birds in south Muskoka, 50,130 individuals of 81 species have been recorded. This data provides some interesting comparisons between the 80's and 90's. Average number of individuals: 80s = 2075, 90s = 2938 Average number of species: 80s = 29.1, 90s = 38.3 Average number of observers: 80s = 25, 90s = 26 For the same counter effort more birds are being seen in Muskoka in early winter. Is the weather changing? It's an easy conclusion but there may be other factors not as obvious. All the Christmas Bird Count data for North America is now on the internet at www.birdsource.org. This year the Gravenhurst-Bracebridge Christmas Bird Count was held on December 18 with 21 observers in 9 groups covering the 15 mile diameter circle centred between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. The weather was clear, calm and cold, hoarfrost coated the trees as the counters assembled. It was a perfect day for a Christmas bird count! The large lakes and rivers were still ice-free due to mild weather that persisted until the count eve. Feeders were not very busy for the same reason but when the final figures were tallied a higher than average 42 species and 3386 individuals were recorded. No new Count Birds were seen this year but some good species were found and all time high counts were recorded for several others. A late Common Loon was seen and heard calling in Brydon's Bay, lets hope it's not sick or injured. There were new highs for Canada Geese(13), Mallards(47), and Hooded Merganser(4). 2 Glaucous Gulls were found, 1 at the Bracebridge dump, another below Bracebridge Falls. An American Kestrel was found on the south-west corner of Muskoka Airport possibly hunting Snow Buntings that were in the same area. Near Barkway an American Robin was video taped as it sat fluffed up in tree on count morning. Bohemian Waxwings were moving into Ontario in big numbers this fall but even though most left Muskoka by count day, we still had a new count high(121). The Orillia and Peterborough counts both had unprecedented totals of around 2000. The capricious Cardinals in Bracebridge refused to be counted again this year but one was found on Farquar Street in Gravenhurst. Winter finch numbers were low, symptoms of a poor tree-seed year. Common Redpolls were the most common finch (138) and in their company were 2 Hoary Redpolls, both of the large and frosty hornemanni subspecies. 3 Pine Grosbeaks were seen on Germania Rd possibly a sign of more to come. Evening Grosbeaks are still hard to find this year so don't stock up on sunflower seed. There were other birds in the Muskoka that were missed on count day or were outside the count circle. A Great Black-backed Gull was seen at the Bracebridge dump 2 days before count day. It was very tempting to count (but we didn't) a Great Blue Heron that was flying south down Hwy 11 at High Falls just north of the boundary at Kirk Line. A predator, from the description probably a Merlin, was picking off Mourning Doves in Gravenhurst but wasn't seen until the day after count week. A Northern Flicker hit a window near Rosseau on count day but well outside the circle. The team competition between Gravenhurst and Bracebridge ended with a close victory by Bracebridge which saw 37 species, Gravenhurst saw 35. For the last two years Gravenhurst could have used some more counters. Next year for the good of the count we should consider diverting some of the northern counters to the south to provide better coverage. At the potluck following the count counters and MFNers filled the hall almost to capacity (60). Thanks to all for making it a great day. GRAVENHURST TEAM G1,2 - Dan Burton G3 - Cyril Fry, Frank Levay G4 - Rosemarie Hinzmann, Ron Stager G5 - Margaret Beard, Gill Hunter, Carol Hunter species seen = 35, individuals counted = 1191 BRACEBRIDGE TEAM B6 - Bob Burton, Dave Wright, George Moroz B7 - Al Sinclair, Linda Boone, Peter McLaren B8 - Doug Smith, Joan Spence, Lou Spence B9 - Jon Grandfield, Dave Storey, Leda Storey, Bruce McPhail B10 - Eleanor Kee Wellman, Barbara Coates, Meredith Coates, Heather Coupland species seen = 37, individuals counted = 2195 WEATHER: Clear, -16/-5 C (4/24F), SNOW COVER 2 cm (1"), WINDS none TOTAL PARTY HOURS: 59, 44 hrs. by car, 15 hrs. on foot TOTAL PARTY KM: 493km(309mi), 481km(301mi) by car, 12km(8mi) on foot