- by John Dickson, OSFN

To begin with, here is an excerpt from the OSFN website www.osfn.ca about the club's change of venue - OSFN Indoor Meetings At Bayshore
After an over 30-year relationship with the Owen Sound Public Library, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists are moving to new premises for our Indoor Meetings. It is exciting, and yet sad, to know we have outgrown their facility. We have greatly appreciated their hosting our meetings.

The OSFN Board have looked at several alternate meeting locations. This spring we will be using the Harry Lumley (Bayshore) Community Centre (1900 3rd Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2M6)

The Owen Sound Field Naturalists will host their next Indoor Meeting, featuring Dr. Brent Patterson presenting Wolves and Coyotes in Ontario: Population Status and Recent Research in the Bay Room of the Bayshore Community Centre on Thursday January 9, 2020.
The evening gets underway at 7PM, but arriving early allows more networking opportunities with others in the audience. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. Students of the natural sciences are especially welcome to attend.
Dr. Brent Patterson will update and discuss the status and ecology of wolves and coyotes across the province since he was last here on October 11, 2012 and provide an overview of ongoing and recent research on wolves and coyotes in Ontario.
Topics will include life history, abundance, feeding habits, livestock depredation, and will also include advice on how to avoid conflict with coyotes.

Dr. Brent Patterson is a Research Scientist with wolves and deer, and an Adjunct Professor in Trent University's Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Wildlife Research & Monitoring Section, Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Trent University.

Brent Patterson joined the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources as a research scientist in 2001 and has been an adjunct professor at Trent University since that time as well. His research focuses on the population dynamics of wolves, coyotes and their prey in temperate and boreal regions. He has published extensively on wolves, coyotes, caribou and moose in Ontario and beyond. Prior to joining the MNRF Brent worked as a biologist for the Government of Nunavut in the central Canadian Arctic where his research focused on caribou, muskox and wolverine. Whether it be for work or for pleasure he enjoys spending as much time as possible in the back country of Algonquin Park.

Also of note, tickets ($5 each), are now on sale for the Celebrate Earth Week event to be held on the Chi Cheemaun at 2PM Saturday April 18, featuring renowned ecologist and performer Jarmo Jalava. Entitled Relationships with Nature, as told through Slides, stories and Songs, tickets are available at Thursday's meeting, and at Ginger Press, Owen Sound Farmers' Market plus the OSTC office in Springmount.

In December when our scheduled speaker was not available, Dan Ostler once again brought an exceptional and timely presentation to the club. Entitled Connecting the dots in Geology, it also included the volcanic activities that were then happening in New Zealand. Thank you, Dan for filling in so admirably!

Locally, many Christmas Bird Counts took place in recent weeks. Here are some highlights from them:

Jarmo Jalava and Miptoon (Anthony Chegahno), co-compilers, for the Neyaashiinigmiing CBC reported:

The ninth annual Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 14, on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula. Unlike in some other parts of southern Ontario that day, count weather was near-perfect, with overcast skies, very little wind, good visibility and pleasant temperatures ranging from -2C during pre-dawn owling to +2C in the afternoon. The waters of Georgian Bay and streams were open, but non-flowing inland waters were partly to fully ice-covered, with thin layer of snow on the ground.

Twenty participants tallied a total of 42 species, slightly above the average of 39.5. The 828 individual birds almost exactly matched the 9-year average.

Highlights included the count’s first-ever Red-headed Woodpecker, an excellent bird on any CBC in Ontario and exceptional this far north. Other good finds included 14 Bohemian Waxwings, the count’s second-ever Mute Swan, Black Scoter, Iceland Gull and American Robin, and third-ever Northern Goshawk.

All-time high counts were tallied for 11 species: Common Goldeneye (159, previous high 154, average 61), Common Merganser (9, previous high 4, average 1.5), Horned Grebe (an amazing 47, previous high 10, average 4.2), Great Black-backed Gull (4, previous high 2, average 0.8), Common Loon (4, previous high 3, average 0.8), Barred Owl (4, previous high 2, average
0.2), Blue Jay (129, previous high 107, average 45), Red-breasted Nuthatch (19, previous high 10, average 6.3), Brown Creeper (6, previous high 4, average 1.2), American Robin (4, previous high 2) and Golden-crowned Kinglet (16, previous high 13, average 8.8).

This was the first Neyaashiinigmiing CBC with nary a Hairy Woodpecker.
American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting and northern finches also went unrecorded. House Sparrows have now been absent for six years.

Chi Miigwetch to Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation community for hosting this special birding event, and thanks to Rhonda and her helpers at Cozy Cats B&B the delicious breakfast and dinner feasts.

Jarmo Jalava, compiler for the Wiarton CBC reported:

The 46th Wiarton Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 15.
Temperatures hovered around -5C all day, with brisk northwesterly winds and generally sunny skies interspersed with scattered snow flurries. The waters of Georgian Bay were open, as were faster-flowing creeks and rivers, but most inland waterbodies were frozen, as were the more sheltered bays of Lake Huron.

Eighteen participants and two feeder watchers tallied 51 species (+3 additional count week species), above the 45-year average of 48.7 species, and slightly below the 10-year average of 52.8. The 2,833 individual birds counted was well below the 45-year (3,436) and 10-year (4,417) averages.

One new species for the count was found, Eastern Phoebe. The only other unusual species was White-crowned Sparrow (3rd count). A count week Belted Kingfisher was the first since 2012.

White-winged Scoter was the only species observed in record high numbers (18, previous high 8). American Robin (12) and Cedar Waxwing (32) numbers were relatively high, no doubt a reflection of abundant wild berry crops.
Introduced House Finches (23) and House Sparrows (53) seemed to have a bounce-back year after several years of decline.

This was the first count without a Snow Bunting since 1972, when the species was only recorded during count week (this year, flocks were noted within the circle the day after count week ended, but not during count week). The 13 White-breasted Nuthatches was the lowest tally for this species since the 1970s. Aside from 4 Pine Siskins, irruptive winter finches were absent.

Thanks to all the volunteers for your efforts!

Erik Van Den Kieboom, compiler for the Owen Sound CBC reported:

The Owen Sound CBC was held on a cloudy December 14, with a team of 33 observers, who saw a Total of 8538 Individual birds, of 59 species. These included many different waterfowl (1440 Mallards), raptors (25 Red-tailed Hawks), woodpeckers, Wild Turkeys (184), finches, and many others, plus observations of Eastern Bluebirds, and even Pine Warbler.

Michael Butler and Tricia Robins (Co-compilers) reported:

Forty-five intrepid birders participated in the 47th annual Tobermory Christmas Bird Count on December 18th, 2019.

Minimal snow cover allowed for better than usual coverage of backcountry areas; however, the weather was less favourable. Bracing northwest winds gusting to 63 km/hr combined with -8 to -12 C temps to create a wind chill of -24 C. Inland lakes were frozen but streams and coastal waters were largely free of ice.

Our birders reported the customary good camaraderie and also much lower than average numbers for species (29; average is 40) and individuals (1033; average is 1624). The species count of 29 was the lowest recorded since 1977, the fourth year the count was conducted.

No new species were observed but at 124, the Blue Jay count was a record high (average is 41; only 4 seen in 2018!) A single Horned Lark seen on McArthur Road was an excellent find (seen on only three previous counts). The European Starling was absent for the second year running and only the third count ever (average is 27.)

The weather mellowed in the days following count and some fine birds made it onto the count week tally including Harlequin Duck, Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike and American Tree Sparrow. The Harlequin Duck, seen again in Big Tub on Christmas Eve, was the first observed since 2003 and only the fourth ever on the count.

Many thanks to all who participated in the count or helped out with preparation and clean-up of the delicious breakfast and dinner. Thanks as well to Bill and Judy Caulfeild-Browne for again hosting a cozy and tasty pre-count gathering on Tuesday. We're also grateful to Tim Elitharp and Dave Kerlina who opened their home to overnight guests from away.

The 48th Tobermory Christmas Bird Count will take place on Wednesday, December 16th, 2020.

Lynne Richardson, compiler for the Meaford CBC reported:

The 49th annual Meaford CBC was held Saturday December 28th in pleasant conditions - temps above 0, light winds, virtually snow-free, and a touch of afternoon sunshine. Georgian Bay was completely open, with no ice-edge as were moving water bodies; still waters had only a skim of ice.

The centre of the Meaford Count is the hamlet of Griersville. The circle takes in a 20km stretch of Georgian Bay shoreline to the north, the towns of Meaford and Thornbury, the Bighead River, the Beaver River framed on both sides by the Escarpment, and west across fields and forest to the village of Walter's Falls.

Our 19 participants found 54 species, continuing the trend of the past 10 years of totaling over 50 species in the Meaford circle. Prior to that average was 46 species. 54 species ranks 5th highest in the all-time totals.

Total individuals at 4494 birds were slightly over the past count average.

After a 'new-species' drought over the last three years, two new species were recorded this count - Peregrine Falcon, classically chasing ROPI, and Pine Warbler, conveniently coming to the compiler's feeder. These additions bring the all-time cumulative total to 122 species. The Pine Warbler continues daily at my feeder, favouring peanut butter (crunchy, all-natural).

6 Pileated Woodpecker made for a 30 year high (topped only once by 7 in 1989), and a new all-time high was recorded for American Crow.

A tie for high was Merlin - singles have been recorded on three previous counts, and 5 Bald Eagle, which match the 5 seen in three recent count years.

Lingering migrants included 1 Northern Pintail, the count's 5th ever, 1 Eastern Bluebird, recorded 7 times over the years, and 1 Northern Flicker, recorded quite frequently.

Infrequently found count species included 2 Red-necked Grebe and 6 White-winged Scoter.

A glaring miss was Mute Swan. This species has not been missed since it first appeared in 2006! Mutes swim by here 364 days of the year! What made them skip Dec 28th! Another miss was Golden Eagle which was first recorded in 2001 and have been seen most counts since.

It was a good count.

Thank you all again for your time and efforts on the day; and happy, birdy New Year!

Kiah Jasper, compiler for the Saugeen Shores CBC reported:

On January 2nd, twenty-nine participants & four feederwatchers tallied birds on the 17th annual Saugeen Shores Christmas Bird Count. The weather was unseasonably warm, starting out at 1°C and maxing out at 5°C in the afternoon. We also got lucky with the weather, as the whole count day was sun & cloud. The wind was S/SE all day. Likely due to this weather & the amount of open ground, feeder bird counts were very low. This has been the case across all of Bruce County CBCs, so it wasn't too surprising.

59 species were recorded, which ties 2011 for the second highest species count, but is slightly lower than the high count of 64 recorded in 2015.

8628 individual birds were seen, this is above the average of 6449, but considerably below the high count of 12225.

3 new species were added to the all time count list, bringing the total up to 102. The new additions were; Eastern Bluebird, Chipping Sparrow & Eared Grebe (the best bird of the count by far).

Some other notable birds were; Cackling Goose (2nd record), Golden Eagle (7th record), Glaucous Gull (7th record), Iceland Gull (2nd record), Belted Kingfisher (4th record), Eastern Meadowlark (2nd record) and Red Crossbill (2nd record)

High counts were recorded for the following species; Greater Scaup (63), Common Goldeneye (241), Sharp-shinned Hawk (4), Iceland Gull (2), Great Black-backed Gull (27), Golden-crowned Kinglet (16), American Robin (66), Red Crossbill (5).

Some surprising low counts/misses were House Sparrow (16 birds recorded, average of 118.) And Ruffed Grouse (0! This is the first count that missed Ruffed Grouse)

2 count week species were recorded, Northern Flicker and Hooded Merganser.

Here are the results from this year’s Cape Chin and Pike Bay Christmas Bird Counts.Cape Chin CBC

- Dec. 28th, 2019
- 4th year in the count’s history
- 6 field observers and 1 feeder watcher
- temperatures throughout the day stayed around 1 celsius, mild wind and virtually no snow on ground, cloudy and partly clear skies with no precipitation
- Georgian Bay was of course open, as were rivers and any moving water but interior ponds were frozen
- 35 Count Day species were reported and a further 2 Count Week species brings the total to 37
- 1512 birds were seen in all
- unusual birds were 12 Cedar Waxwing (new to count), 1 American Kestrel
- record high numbers of Ruffed Grouse (20), Wild Turkey (66), Common Loon (2), and Rock/Feral Pigeon (95)
- record low numbers of Herring Gull (1) - probably all went to Lion’s Head harbour!

Pike Bay CBC
- Dec. 29th, 2019
- 6th year in the count’s history
- 10 field observers and 6 feeder watchers
- similar temperatures to the Cape Chin count the day before but light freezing rain and wind gusts started slightly after 10a.m. and picked up into an all out rain event in the afternoon so observers found less birds on Count Day than would have been expected and because many of us retreated to the warmth of our homes
- Lake Huron’s inner bays were mostly open this year but for whatever reason waterfowl were still few and far between and most of our sightings came from the Georgian Bay area of the bird count circle
- 35 Count Day species (identical to the Cape Chin CBC) were reported and a whopping 8 more Count Week species followed, many of which would have been observed on Count Day had it not been for the difficult weather conditions for observations
- 2287 birds were seen
- unusual birds were 45 Cedar Waxwings (new to this count as well!), 1 Song Sparrow, and a rather incredible sighting of over 200 dabbling ducks consisting of mostly Mallards, a dozen American Black Ducks and a lone male Green-winged Teal was made even more miraculous when an adult gray morph Gyrfalcon (a large falcon of the Canadian arctic that only rarely visits southern Ontario) swooped in and was witnessed hunting the ducks for over a half hour - something the coordinator had never observed on the peninsula before and will surely be a highlight of these bird counts for many years to come
- a Common Grackle, Harlequin Duck, and a Jaeger (the latter two very rarely observed on the Peninsula) were unusual species observed during Count Week
- record high numbers of American Goldfinch (334), American Crow (503), Mourning Dove (33), Mallard (205) and American Black Duck (14)
- record low numbers of Wild Turkey (1), Rock/Feral Pigeon (6), Common Raven (10)

*some of the species missed on both counts that are expected to occur are Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin and House Sparrow

Anyone wishing to see a full list of birds or participate in next year’s counts please contact Andrew Keaveney (email: [email protected])