London CBC4Kids 2017

This past Saturday was the 4th annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids here in London. This is my third year participating, and my second year as a group leader.

I didn't take any pictures this time around, so I will be digging some out of the archive!

The group met at the Civic Garden Complex in Springbank Park for a quick presentation on the common birds of Springbank Park. Soon after, we were divided into groups, and headed out to find some birds!

Almost immediately, we found a group of Black-capped Chickadees and Golden-crowned Kinglets. The younger participants tried to hand feed them, but I guess the chickadees weren't hungry!

Flashback to when they were hungry!

Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Blue Jays kept us entertained with their non-stop calling and caching of food in the trees.

Waterfowl were hard to find, that is until we got to the duck pond! One of the participants took the time to count 134 Mallards!

On the way back, a highlight for the group was 5 singing Carolina Wrens.

Once we got back to the complex, we tallied up the group totals.

1. Canada Goose: 534
2. American Black Duck: 4
3. Mallard: 223
4. Common Merganser: 2
5. Red-tailed Hawk: 2
6. Bald Eagle: 0 (!)
7. Ring-billed Gull: 3
8. Downy Woodpecker: 2
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker: 8
10. Belted Kingfisher: 1
11. Blue Jay: 27
12. American Crow: 6
13. Black-capped Chickadee: 31
14. Red-breasted Nuthatch: 5
15. White-breasted Nuthatch: 2
16. Carolina Wren: 8
17. Golden-crowned Kinglet: 8
18. European Starling: 33
19. Northern Cardinal: 14
20. Song Sparrow: 1
21. American Tree Sparrow: 1
22. House Sparrow: 42
23. Dark-eyed Junco: 10
24. American Goldfinch: 18

TOTAL:

24 species

1040 individuals

My Group saw 18 species of the 24 species, which was one of the higher group tallies!

Overall, it was a "slow day", but I think that the participants really enjoyed it.

The "real" CBC season starts on the 16th! Let the madness begin!

 

To find a count near you, please check out this link!