OFNC Fall Bird Count, 1990 
August 25th 
Daniel Perrier 
This year the fall roundup was held Sunday, the 25th of August. Officially, fall 
had not yet arrived but this time of year usually brings a combination of 
migrants; at least that is what we hoped and that is what I had promised a 
novice birder. I had forewarned him that mornings can be cold at this time of 
year and that it usually remains cool throughout the day. (Sure enough he 
showed up in heavy pants, wool sweater and even gloves, and by noon we were 
all swimming in the Lac La Blanche River!) 
At 9 a.m. it was already 25° C and quite humid. The birds kept hidden and 
everyone had to work hard to get good sightings. Total species numbers for the 
standard 50 km radius was 167, the lowest in four years. 
The southwest region came out on top with 124 species. It was the only area 
where Bonaparte’s Gull, Common Terns and a Northern Mockingbird were 
seen. Other notables here were 5 Barred Owls, and 2 Grasshopper Sparrows. 
The northeast was second with 122 species. Notables included a Willow 
Flycatcher, 10 Swainson’s Thrushes and 5 Vesper Sparrows. (Please don’t 
laugh; it was that type of day.) 
The southeastern section was third with 118 species. The star attraction for this 
area was the Eared Grebe at Embrun. Other noteworthy sightings were a Black- 
bellied Plover, 7 Red-necked Phalaropes and a Western Sandpiper. 
The northwestern region saw 104 species. Those not seen in other sectors were 
a Ruffed Grouse, 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoos, 2 Long-eared Owls, 1 Solitary 
Vireo, 3 Red-headed Woodpeckers, 1 Field Sparrow, 1 Lincoln’s Sparrow, and 
1 Rusty Blackbird. 
In all, 29 patient souls participated and I would like to thank them all for com¬ 
ing out. Special thanks to the 4 sector leaders, Rodolph Dubois, Jim Harris, 
Bernie Ladouceur and Paul Martin. 
Species Number of individuals 
NE 
NW 
SE 
SW 
Total 
Common Loon 
3 
3 
6 
Pied-billed Grebe 
47 
1 
23 
71 
Eared Grebe 
1 
1 
Double-crested Cormorant 
5 
22 
20 
47 
American Bittern 
5 
1 
1 
7 
Great Blue Heron 
29 
14 
12 
21 
76 
Green-backed Heron 
11 
9 
1 
3 
24 
19 
