Bird Counts- December 18/19 and January 1/2

Here's our submitted lists for Project FeederWatch for these weeks (we missed Christmas weekend due to travel). Some interesting notes:

Our first Common Redpoll has made an appearance! Just one, but hopefully more are on the way.

We also had our first ever in our lifetime CONFIRMED sighting of a Red-Shouldered Hawk! The crows drew our attention to it. They were making so much noise outside and then we saw them dive-bombing a hawk. We were able to make out the distinct markings on the chest and wings to determine it's a Red-Shouldered Hawk. Very exciting for us, especially at this time of year!

Here's a description from http://www.rom.on.ca/ontario/risk.php?doc_type=fact&id=105

Red-shouldered Hawk

Features: Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) have the characteristic broad, rounded wings of all soaring hawks (Buteos). Crescent-shaped "windows" in the wings and reddish shoulder patches are characteristic of this species. In early spring, birds arrive back at woodlots and forested areas throughout southeastern Canada and perform noisy courtship flights consisting of diving and loud calling above the territories. Generally a shy species which lives in forest interiors, they can be seen perched in a tree hunting for frogs, snakes, rodents and small birds.

Status: Downlisted

Range: The Red-shouldered Hawk lives primarily in eastern North America, ranging from southern Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick west to Nebraska and Texas and south to Florida. In Ontario, the species is restricted to southern, forested parts of the province, particularly forests on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield from Kingston to Parry Sound. Range Maps

Threats: Note: This species was delisted in March 2007. Once considered common in Ontario, the Red-shouldered Hawk declined this century as forests were cleared for farmland. This species requires relatively large, undisturbed areas of forest.

Protection: This species is protected under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Forest management plans maintain an uncut buffer zone around known active nest sites.


And some "Cool Facts" from http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk/lifehistory

Cool Facts

* The Red-shouldered Hawk is divided into five subspecies. The four eastern forms contact each other, but the West Coast form is separated from the eastern forms by 1600 km (1000 mi). The northern form is the largest. The form in very southern Florida is the palest, having a gray head and very faint barring on the chest.
* Although the American Crow often mobs the Red-shouldered Hawk, sometimes the relationship is not so one-sided. They may chase each other and try to steal food from each other. They may also both attack a Great Horned Owl and join forces to chase the owl out of the hawk's territory.
* By the time they are five days old, nestling Red-shouldered Hawks can shoot their feces over the edge of their nest. Bird poop on the ground is a sign of an active nest.
* The Great Horned Owl often takes nestling Red-shouldered Hawks, but the hawk occasionally turns the tables. While a Red-shouldered Hawk was observed chasing a Great Horned Owl, its mate took a young owl out of its nest and ate it.


Count Lists:

Weather and Effort: December 18, 2010
Checklist for FeederWatch Ontario Birds
Canada Goose 100
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 30
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
European Starling 18
American Tree Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 35
Snow Bunting 200 Confirmed
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Finch 18
American Goldfinch 20
House Sparrow 5


January 1, 2011
Checklist for FeederWatch Ontario Birds
Canada Goose 22
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Confirmed
Rock Pigeon 4
Mourning Dove 30
Great Horned Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
American Robin 5
European Starling 20
American Tree Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 33
Northern Cardinal 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 7
Common Redpoll 1
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow 4