Record bird count

by Jim MacInnis

In our Spring 2009 issue we introduced you to Kevin Shackleton, Ontario Nature board member and birder extraordinaire. Last May, Kevin participated in the Baillie Birdathon, a fundraising event held annually by Bird Studies Canada (BSC) through which participants earn sponsorship dollars based on the number of birds they spot in a 24-hour period. Shackleton, who allotted the funds he raised to Ontario Nature and BSC, surpassed the ambitious goal he had set to see at least 100 species of birds within this narrow time frame.

He and his team of three friends began their quest at 9:15 p.m. on Lake Couchiching, where they soon heard their first species: a whip-poor-will. They also heard common snipe, American woodcock and three other species before heading back for a quick nap before rising at 3:00 a.m.

Next up was the Thiffault Nature Trail near Matchedash Bay, where the team found 33 new species for the day, including Virginia rail and alder flycatcher. By the time the birders left the village, just after 7:00 a.m., they had 69 species for the day.

“The Collingwood area gave us another eight species and I think it was about that time that [one of the team] said he was delighted to be using his binoculars this year as, during our terrible day in 2008, there had been so few birds that he barely raised them to his eyes.” Indeed, a house finch made 136, a spotted sandpiper on the edge of an ornamental pond was 139 and, after a long night and day of searching, a great horned owl made the team’s total an incredible 141 species in 24 hours. “We quit at 9:15 p.m. very satisfied with our efforts after several disappointing years.” Kevin’s quest raised more than $9,000 for Ontario Nature and BSC. Congratulations to Kevin and his team on a fantastic birdathon!