Some rare bird sightings were caught in Parry Sound.
This past weekend bird-counters were marvelling at how mild the weather was for the annual Christmas Bird Count. That weather made it spotting rare species much easier.
Steph Romaniuk teaches Environmental Management at Canadore College and spearheaded the count. He said that 1400 individual birds were seen and documented which was up from 900 documented species last year.
24 field observers and five feeder watchers were out until dusk on Saturday.
Romaniuk said that some of the species spotted included 34 wild turkeys, 25 pine grosbeaks, and 35 bald eagles. Some of the rarer birds spotted included one northern mockingbird and seven red crossbills. Romaniuk noted that the eagles seemed to particularly enjoy the local garbage dump. He said eagles are scavengers and tend to forage for food there.
Romaniuk added that the Parry Sound Christmas Bird Count is in its 26th year and was founded by Jim Gardner who passed away around five years ago. Romaniuk said Jim’s wife, June Gardner, is always happy to receive the results.
