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Pa ge 1 2 T hu rs da y, M ar ch 1 9, 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a WALK-IN & FAMILY CLINIC • Short Wait Times • Extended Hours • Walk-in or Appointment • Male & Female Physicians • Pediatric Health & Immunizations • Lab On-Site • Pharmacy On-Site 221 Miller Dr., Georgetown • 905-873-6776 www.GenesisHealthTeam.com New Full Service Medical Clinic NEWS In contrast to the weather experienced for the 2013 Christmas Bird Count in the aftermath of the ice storm that year, the weather for the 24th annual Christ- mas Bird Count on December 27, 2014 was quite delightful. Although there was a very brief light shower around noon, the lack of snow made for excellent survey conditions. The temperatures that got to approxi- mately 10C in the afternoon were prob- ably the second highest in the 24 years that the survey has been undertaken. The survey had a new high total of 33 participants. The number of species reported was 60 plus one hybrid, which exceeds the previous high of 57 species seen in 2003. Despite the large increase in numbers of Canada Geese (over half of the total), the total number of birds was 8,413. The total of counted birds was lower than the long-term average by more than 1,300. Six species (Ruffed Grouse, Snowy Owl, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, White-throated Spar- row, and Pine Siskin) made the final list but were not tallied on Count Day. Eight species were present in new high numbers. These included Trum- peter Swan (2), Northern Shoveler (7), Bufflehead (2), Common Golden- eye (22), Cooper's Hawk (7), Eastern Screech Owl (6), Red-bellied Wood- pecker (18), and Common Raven (4). Twenty-six species were present in numbers below average. The single Common Redpoll was the lowest count recorded to date when the species is ac- tually present; however, this is a highly- eruptive species with numbers as high as 1,670 in 1997 and present only about every other year. The unusually warm conditions and lack of snow in combination with ex- tra observers likely affected the overall results. The lack of snow would cause fewer birds to require food from feed- ers though most feeders observed were not filled. Despite the annual variability in numbers observed over the duration of the Halton Hills Count, we can con- clude that numbers of Canada Geese, Common Raven and Red-bellied Woodpecker are increasing while the numbers of American Kestrel have de- clined. Thanks to the following partici- pants: Ray Blower, Alexis Buset, Mark Cranford, Melissa Creassey, Emily Dobson, Kim Dobson, Ramona Dob- son, Pam Forsythe, Ann Fraser, Sandy Gillians, Ian Jarvie, Aaron Keating, Dan MacNeal, Lou Marsh, Merle Marsh, Katie McDonnell, Bill McIlveen, Irene McIlveen, Matt Mills, Dan Pearson, Jo- hanna Perz, Fiona Reid, Dawn Renfrew, Don Scallen, Adhara Collins Scholten, Yves Scholten, Dan Schuurman, Rick Stroud, Janice Sukhiana, Patrick Tuck, George Wilkes, Marge Wilkes, Dave Willams. Also thanks to Larry May for arranging access to the Maple Lodge Farms property and to Fiona Reid for hosting the wrap-up session. Christmas Bird Count spots 60 species here By W.D. McIlveen Halton/North Peel Naturalists Club Results of the 2014 Christmas Bird Count in Halton Hills. --www.hnpnc.com