Nature Miramichi:

From: David McLeod <mcleodda@nbnet.nb.ca>
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2019 7:49 PM
Subject: 2018-19 Northumberland County Winter Bird List

Hi Everyone:

Sorry for the delay in getting the winter bird list out to you, but please find attached a copy of the list as of Jan. 18 containing 53 species to date, far short of last year’s record of 78.

Last winter there was much more open water in Miramichi Bay and River well into late December, so we had 21 waterfowl species (ducks, geese, loons, grebes, cormorants) compared to only 8 this year when the bay and river were almost iced over by late November. Aldo had also added a late Dunlin and Black-bellied Plover at Neguac last year on Dec. 1, but we have no shorebird species this year.

However, we do have some nice first-ever additions to the list; namely the Carolina Wren and Cooper’s Hawk reported by Peter and Deana and both were photographed by Peter at their feeders in Newcastle. I guess this should make up for the loss of the Mistle Thrush at the same location last year that hasn’t been reported since!! This is the first time we’ve had all three accipiter hawk species (Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, plus Northern Goshawk) on the list in the same winter.

Another good find was the Snowy Owl in Nelson on Dec. 4 which was photographed by Karen Doyle and first reported by Donna Savoy. Last year we missed the snowy, but did have Barred Owl, still missing from this year’s list. Julia’s female Northern Cardinal at her feeder in Chatham Head on Dec. 1, and Patricia’s male cardinal at her feeder throughout December, were also very good sightings. Aldo’s report and photo of a Chipping Sparrow on Dec. 4 in Neguac, and the Common Grackle sighting in Sunny Corner by Holly, Sonya and Cheryl during the CBC on Dec. 15, are good examples of summer breeding residents that have decided not to migrate south, but to hang around the area this year, and so are not expected to be on the winter list every year.

Other still-missing possible species include Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Ring-necked Pheasant, Barred, Great Horned, and Northern Saw-whet Owls, and Black-backed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Several songbirds have yet to be reported, including members of the warbler, sparrow, blackbird and finch families, like Horned Lark, Lapland Longspur, White-breasted Nuthatch, Boreal Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Pine or Yellow-rumped Warblers, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch, and White-winged Crossbill.

Please check the list carefully to ensure all the birds you have already reported are on it and that the added details are accurate. Also, please let me know of any additions you may have, including the observation date and location, and if there is any photo documentation.

With just under 1.5 months still to go, we should be able to increase the final total considerably. Thanks for all your help.

Dave

2018-19 Northumberland County Winter Bird List, preliminary, Jan. 19, 2019.docx