Great Grays highlight of Christmas bird count

Ken Johnston

If you are a bird-watcher you know that any time is a good time to watch birds.
Mark Johnson of St. Paul, Minnesota makes it an annual event to count birds in the Rainy River and Morson area each and every Christmas.
Johnson participated in the 105th Audubon Society Bird Christmas Bird Count on December 19th and 20th, 2004.
He and a buddy, Paul Julius, did the count in the Morson area on the 19th. They counted a total of sixteen species in that area ranging from Great Gray Owls to Rock Pigeons. They also saw Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Shrikes, Blue Jays, Black-billed magpies, Ravens, Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, European Starling, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinch and Evening Grosbeaks.
On the 20th the pair counted in the Gameland/Rainy River area. They reported 19 species there including Bald Eagles, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Great Gray Owls, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Shrikes, Gray Jays, Blue Jays, Black-billed Magpies, American Crow, Ravens, Black-capped chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted nuthatch, European Starlings, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpoll, House Sparrow and Rock Pigeons.
Johnson said that the most exciting sightings were definitely the Great Gray Owls. He also said that the most unusual siting this year was of the American Crow. “You typically don’t see it in winter.”
The Christmas Bird Count started in 1900 when conservationists sought to change a common practise known as “Side Hunts” in which people would choose sides and go afield with guns. Whoever brought in the most feathered and furred quarry won.
The first Christmas Bird Census had 27 participants from Toronto, Ont. to Pacific Grove, California.
Anyone wanting to view results of counts in their area or the overall program can log onto the Audubon’s website at: www.audubon.org.