Great Backyard Bird Count 2018

17 February 2018

     For the sixth year in a row Waterloo Region Nature has conducted a Great Backyard Bird Count, organized by that stalwart of stalwarts, Mary Ann Vanden Elzen.

     In life you meet people who leave their mark due to their good nature, their dedication and their sheer humanity. Mary Ann is one of those people, a wonderful friend and colleague, a delight and an inspiration.

     We all met at a local shopping plaza to car pool and depart for our first hosts on the morning's itinerary.

      By the time we left the parking lot about twenty-five people had joined our group and we headed off to the beautiful rural property of Jim Cappelman and Irene Simpson who opened their doors to everyone and provided copious snacks, including hot coffee and mulled cider. Their little cinnamon buns were delicious! Everything was, of course.

Irene and Jim

     Jim and Irene's poodle, Mojo, having given everyone the appropriate welcoming licks, muscled in to join the photograph session.

      Now this is the kind of birding that even the faintest of faint hearts can enjoy, even the wimpiest disparager of winter can revel in. You stand by a series of large windows looking out onto an array of bird feeders, all the while sipping cider and munching on sweets. It doesn't get much better than this!

     At this time of year one does not expect to see a large number of species, especially in the all too brief time we spent there, but there was a pleasing variety nonetheless. Several participants were new to our club and new to birding, so the fact that the birds were so close enabled those of us with a little more experience to explain some of the finer points of identification and provide a little extra information.

Hairy Woodpecker (Leuonotopicus villosus)

American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) and American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

    All too soon it was time to move on to our next destination.

All species at the Cappleman property: Canada Goose (29), Mourning Dove (15), Downy Woodpecker (4), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Black-capped Chickadee (6), American Goldfinch (7), Dark-eyed Junco (4), American Tree Sparrow (1), Northern Cardinal (3). 
Total: 9

     Our next stop was at the rare Charitable Research Reserve in Cambridge where we all assembled at the Eco Centre to observe the feeders there. Once again goodies were on hand in the form of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, brownies and cookies. The view of the feeders (which look like they need a little repair) was best outside at this location.

     A Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) was perched at the side of one of the feeders with a broken perch; the other feeder was missing the perch altogether.
    A few dedicated watchers gathered in the parking lot for a picture before going in for refreshments.

     We had been a little surprised not to have seen House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) at the Cappelman feeders, but we made up for it here.

         A cooperative Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was back and forth at the feeders.

        It was well observed by several delighted birders.

     All species at rare Charitable Research Reserve: Mourning Dove (1), Downy Woodpecker (2), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Blue Jay (2), Black-capped Chickadee (4), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), House Finch (20), American Goldfinch (8), American Tree Sparrow (1), Northern Cardinal (1). Total: 10

     We left rare and travelled to Lakeside Park in Kitchener where we were led on a short walk by Mary Ann with an informative commentary about the park.

     Lakeside Park had existed for many decades with a contiguous unit of forest owned by the City of Kitchener, adjacent to Shoemaker Pond, but effectively forming part of the park. In 2009 the City declared that it had identified various properties as "surplus parkland," ripe for development, and this parcel of forest was one of them. I cannot think of a more oxymoronic statement than that! The Lakeside neighbourhood arose in strong opposition to this proposal (as did many others in park lands affected throughout the city). In the end, with the help of many individuals the Lakeside woodlands were saved.

    

     For many of us, myself included, it was our first visit to this location, and we were very happy to make the discovery. You may rest assured that I will be back and a Tuesday Morning Ramble with David or two will be happening here.

     The City of Kitchener has embraced the park in a very positive way, and my good friend, Josh Shea, the Natural Areas Coordinator for the city, has been instrumental in various enhancements to the park, including the planting of native species of trees and the creation of a turtle beach. Mary Ann was laudatory in her discussion of the level of cooperation between the city and dedicated citizens.

     The artwork for the signs was created by Emily Damstra, a superb local artist, who resides nearby in Guelph. Emily has been commissioned in so many ways and I invite you to check out her work on line. We are fortunate indeed to have such talent in our own community.

      Miriam espied this maple leaf lying intact on the snow and it seemed like a very fitting image for a walk by passionate Canadians.

All species at Lakeside Park: Red-tailed Hawk (1), Downy Woodpecker (1), American Crow (1), Black-capped Chickadee (1).

     Our final stop was at the home of Alan and Brenda Holvey, where they welcomed us all for lunch, having ordered enough pizzas to feed our group of around twenty people. In addition they had grapes, cookies and other items available and coffee and soft drinks. It was truly amazing hospitality.

     I don't think that Alan and Brenda will be upset if I mention that they are around ninety years of age, still in their own home, vibrant, humorous and relevant. It was a treat to be with them.

     Kudos go to another member of Waterloo Region Nature, Marion Kelterborn, who lives a few houses away and came to help the Hoveys get everything ready for our visit. Marion is another one of those people who personifies kindness.

     The activity at their feeders was not especially great with most of the birds being House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).

     I have missed these backyard bird counts in previous years, always having had a conflict which did not permit me to take part. I can assure you that Miriam and I will henceforth be regulars and we will put the date on our calendar as soon as it is announced.

     I enjoyed myself immensely and I know that Miriam did too. Our thanks go out again to Mary Ann for organizing such an enjoyable event, to all the gracious hosts and my fellow naturalists who came out to enjoy both the birds and each other. 

     Waterloo Region Nature truly is The Best Little Naturalists Club in Ontario!

All species at the Hovey residence: Downy Woodpecker (1), Black-capped Chickadee (2), House Sparrow (40), American Goldfinch (1), Dark-eyed Junco (1).

Interesting reading:  

http://e360.yale.edu/features/in-defense-of-biodiversity-why-protecting-species-from-extinction-matters