OVN Christmas Bird Count a success
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Bird lovers and bird watchers of all levels and abilities came out for the Otter Valley Naturalists Club 5th annual Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 16, 2012.
Dozens of birders from around the region took part in the Christmas time tradition, sponsored by the Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada.
“We compile bird lists every year and we are very interested in adding new species,” said member of the Otter Valley Naturalist Club and compiler of the Christmas Bird Count list, Adrian Juurlink. “And this year we added those new species, which was a big surprise.”
Three new species spotted this year during the annual bird count - they included Gadwall (1), Red-headed Woodpecker (2) and Evening Grosbeak (1). The total number of bird species counted during the 2012 Christmas Bird Count was 84. All information and statistics collected are then reported and sent into the Audubon Society for confirmation.
“It’s not just finalizing, we have to prove that we saw these special species,” added Juurlink.
The area covered by the Otter Valley Naturalists Club is divided into eight sections and includes Vienna, Port Burwell and other small towns within a 15-kilometer circle around the area such as Norfolk County, Oxford County and a big part of Lake Erie as well.
“The highlight of this year’s count had a lot to do with the lake because we did not have snow,” said Juurlink. “When we don’t have snow, we don’t get a lot of birds which are common to feeders in wintertime and move around in the county.”
Lake Erie was a very busy place this year with a lot of movement and duck species spotted on the water, again due to a lack of snow and ice.
Juurlink noted that most birders choose to begin the Christmas Bird Count at daylight while others wake up in the early morning hours to catch and count owls that are common to the area such as screech owls and great horned owls.
“Our main intent is to do the best count possible,” said Juurlink. “We want to have fun.”
Joe Stephenson, president of the Otter Valley Naturalists Club said this year’s Christmas Bird Count was an enjoyable day for the entire family.
“We enjoy it every year,” said Stephenson. “Family members come out, my sons come home and help do the count and many others do it as well. I think we had over 30 to 40 people on that day doing the count in different areas.”
“It was an interesting day because we didn’t have any snow so feeders were not as busy, “ he added.
“Even for those that can’t go out, can watch at their bird feeders and call in the numbers.”
Stephenson said that bird watching has been increasing in popularity in recent years, and the group itself is growing in numbers. For several reasons many people - both young and old are taking up the activity, especially for the annual Christmas Bird Count.
“Birds are highly visible. In the wintertime, it’s a fairly quiet time of the year in Ontario yet we have a lot of winter birds that come to our backyards and fly through nearby parks,” explained Stephenson. “It’s something that everyone can do – it’s a very low cost sport, it’s good exercise, good fresh air and you can learn something from it.”
It’s that positive take on bird watching and the annual Christmas Bird Count that keeps area residents outdoors each winter with their binoculars in hand.
“Every year is different, that’s the fun about it,” said Juurlink. “Because you never know really what you’re going to see.”
In addition to the three new species spotted during this year’s Christmas Bird Count, some of the other birds and waterfowl counted during the 2012 event, included Horned Grebe, Tundra Swans, Wood Duck, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Golden Eagle, Northern Shrike, Winter Wren, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Mocking Bird and several Bald Eagles (number is under review).