Christmas Bird Counting

For a birder, the annual Christmas Bird Count ("CBC") is as much a part of the holidays as turkey dinner. My first CBC was in Bowmanville in 1998 and since then I've participated in counts in Kitchener, Hamilton, Fisherville, Algonquin Park and memorably Red Lake (where the count tally was something like 5 species). This year we plan to do the same counts as last year: Kitchener, Hamilton and Fisherville.

The Cambridge count was on December 15th (last Saturday). It was a good day overall. This was the 5th time we had done our count area so we have it pretty down pat. Our best bird was a Hermit Thrush on Bethel Road.

The Fisherville count might be my favourite. Hannah & I do it on our own and we have a nice little sliver of an area that takes in a little bit of waterfront and wooded area in addition to the expansive agricultural fields. A couple of weeks ago we were in the area and saw a Rusty Blackbird just south of Selkirk. Maybe he will stick around.

As much of a tradition as it is to do a CBC here at home, it would be fun to try one in Miami for a change. It must be fun to do one wearing shorts!