Annual Christmas bird count draws local ‘watchers

Frances Legault highlights some of the birds spotted in the neighbourhood by Manor Park bird watchers during the annual Christmas bird count 2023

Manor Park bird watchers participating in the annual Christmas Bird Count this year had plenty to see. First started in 1900, the annual count is North America’s largest citizen science project to assess the population trends and distribution of birds.

In 2022, 279 different species were reported across Canada. The highest species diversity was found in British Columbia (218), Ontario (183), Nova Scotia (168), New Brunswick (142), and Québec (129). Ontario had the highest individual bird count of 1.3 million.

The 2023 Ottawa count was held on Sunday, December 17.

Common redpoll

This species of bird in the finch family is known for staying warm during winter nights by tunnelling into the snow. Photo: Sam Armstrong

Common redpolls are part of the winter finches which can appear at any time. They are an irruptive species that can arrive in big flocks and then vanish again, as they search for food.

You will see them at feeders or searching for birch seeds. They can be found tunneling into the snow to stay warm during the night. Tunnels may be more than a foot long and 4 inches under the insulating snow.

Blue jay

The cry of the blue jay is distinctive and can also be used to trick other birds. Photo: Sam Armstrong

The Blue jay is a common large noisy songbird, known for its intelligence and complex social system with tight family bonds. Blue jays migrate by the thousands in large flocks along the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast.

They can be found throughout winter in all parts of their range.

The blue jay frequently mimics the calls of hawks either to warn other jays that a hawk is around, or to deceive other species into believing a hawk is present. Peanut feeders are especially popular. They also love acorns and are credited for spreading oak trees.

White-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted nuthatches are another favourite neighbourhood bird in the winter. They are easily recognized as they perch upside down on tree trunks and feeders. Their name comes from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside.

Red-tailed Hawk

The red-tailed hawk is more likely to be seen perched on a telephone pole next to an open field rather than stalking backyard feeders. Photo: Christine Hanrahan

This beautiful Red-tailed Hawk was photographed at Mile Circle, a great bird watching site. It is the most common hawk in North America and can be found soaring above open fields searching for small mammals. You will not find it at feeders like Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, which prey on birds.

Bald Eagle

Once endangered by hunting and pesticides, bald eagles have flourished under protection. This local raptor was seen near the Rockcliffe Pkwy. in December 2023.

The bald eagle is well known as a spiritual symbol of Indigenous peoples and regarded as a messenger between the earthly and spirit worlds. It is native to North America and is also a symbol of strength, courage, freedom and immortality.

Bald eagles can have a long lifespan. The oldest recorded bird in the wild was at least 38 years old.

References: Christmas Bird Count and All About Birds (Cornell University)