The 2008 Christmas Bird Count for the Richmond Hill Circle was held on 20 December 2008. There were 34 field observers and 9 feeder-watchers. A total of 54 species (plus a hawk and a gull of unknown species) were observed, totalling just shy of 4500 birds. These numbers are fairly typical. The highlights included a Northern Goshawk, THREE Bald Eagles, a Swamp Sparrow, a Fox Sparrow, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a White-crowned sparrow, two Northern Flickers, a Snowy Owl and 48 White-winged Crossbills. The weather was cold but not too windy.
A large group of participants enjoyed the Chili Supper hosted by Martin and Judy Chen. In addition to lots of good food and drink, people vied at a variety of quizzes, and the drawing of several door prizes. There was even a spirited rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
Our thanks again to Wild Birds Unlimited for providing prizes for the lucky participants.

Richmond Hill Naturalists
Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
Saturday December 20, 2008
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or morning/afternoon)
Chili Dinner to follow

Please join the Richmond Hill Naturalists for our Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) this Saturday December 20, 2008.  This annual event began with the Audubon Society almost 109 years ago.  We hope you can come and help.  We will pair up experts with less-experienced volunteers and cover local areas such as Maple, Aurora, Thornhill, Markham, Richmond Hill and Gormley.  Nine groups will be needed to complete the bird count map area.

Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear waterproof boots.  Please bring along binoculars, bird field guide and scopes if you have them.

If you would like to stay at home and do a bird feeder count, you can still participate, by letting us your own backyard count numbers.

Join us at the end of the day for a  hot chili dinner!

Please contact and RSVP to Gene Denzel at [email protected] or 905-889-7888.