Photo by Michelle Jean

Christmas Bird Count, Boxing Day 2021

The 2021 Christmas Bird Count was attended by a few brave souls and even fewer birds. Temperatures dipped down to -30 degrees Celsius during the day. There were ten birders who covered an area of 116 kms (100 kms in a vehicle) in and around Elk Island National Park. A total of 10 species were reported with a total count number of 49 birds. Thank you Elk Island National Park for suppling shelter and warmth during the event. Hope to see you all back for the 2022 Christmas Bird Count!

The seasoned pros and birding novices saw a total of 49 species. The birds counted were:

• 5 Downy Woodpeckers

• 1 Hairy Woodpecker

• 2 Pileated Woodpeckers

• 1 Blue Jay

• 5 Black-billed Magpies

• 9 Common Ravens

• 15 Black-capped Chickadees

• 1 White-Breasted Nuthatches

• 4 Pine Grosbeak

• 5 Common Redpolls

All of this information has been forwarded to the Audubon Society, to be recorded with Christmas Bird Counts held all over North America.

Norm Cameron (Compiler) on behalf of the Friends of Elk Island Society