The Christmas Bird Count...

Yesterday I took part in that great North American birding tradition - The Christmas Bird Count. I do this every year, nearly always on Toronto Island. I think I was led astray on a couple of occasions and did the Durham thing, but now bow to tradition. Besides, the Islands are my local patch and there is always the lure of an elusive "patch tick".

This year it was rather pleasant and was only just below freezing - hardly needed the heated washroom at all, though, more out of tradition than anything, we did venture in for the hell of it! Birdwise it was good though unspectacular. Steady would be a good word. Best birds were two Tundra Swans, a Belted Kingfisher and an immature White-crowned Sparrow. However, the absolute highlight was four American Coots - an Island tick for me! Well, any rail or crake type of thing is tough on the Islands. Alfred was happy with his Northern Shrike! I think we ended up with 46 species in all.


A fine drake Mallard. Common, but a handsome devil nonetheless.


A male Hairy Woodpecker. We saw a few today.


A female Downy Woodpecker - always a delight on a chilly winter day...