Winter Birding Challenge Final Results 2021 - 2022

Explore the Results

Explore the details on a Google Sheet

People can explore the results by species and county in a Google Sheet here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-3LvIvg9GFDUJx7NVLo1Y4k97CQ0Kfxm/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118187139860984701170&rtpof=true&sd=true

Explore the results on a map

OFO is grateful to Tim Haan for this graphical display of the winter birding challenge data. You can explore the results here: Winter Birding Challenge Results

Results Summaries

Final Results

The winter birding challenge came to a close on February 28. We finished with 157 registrants. Since December 1, participants submitted 5983 checklists across the province from 46 of the 50 census divisions. An impressive 186 species were reported including 35 species of waterfowl, seven shorebirds, ten gulls, ten hawks, eight owls, seven woodpeckers, six thrushes, ten finches, 15 sparrows, nine blackbirds, and six warblers.

Many unusual species were reported including Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Rufous Hummingbird, Least Sandpiper, Red Phalarope, Razorbill, Glaucous-winged Gull, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend’s Solitaire, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Nelson’s Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, and Black-throated Gray Warbler.

For total species, Chatham-Kent led the way with 133, followed by Lambton (118), Toronto (114), Niagara (105), and Hamilton (103) all cracking one hundred species. For checklists, Toronto was tops with 953 checklists, followed by Peterborough (416), Hamilton (321), Wellington (315), and Middlesex (307).

Thank you all who participated, and Congratulations to the winners!

January 24th - February 6th

In the fifth two weeks of the challenge (January 24-February 6) we are up to 147 registrants. Participants submitted 708 checklists across the province from 33 of the 50 census divisions. Despite us getting into the depths of winter, an impressive 130 species were reported including 27 species of waterfowl, nine gulls, ten hawks, seven owls, three thrushes, 10 finches, 10 sparrows, and five blackbirds.

Some more unusual species reported were Barrow's Goldeneye, Slaty-backed Gull, Black Vulture, Fish Crow, "Oregon" Dark-eyed Junco, and Golden-crowned Sparrow

For total species, Toronto led the way with 78, followed by Chatham-Kent (72), Niagara (34), and Lambton (54). For checklists, Toronto (147) was tops again, followed by Muskoka (50), Ottawa (47), Hamilton (42) and a three-way tie between Niagara, Wellington and Peterborough at 34.

January 10th - 23rd

In the fourth two weeks of the challenge we are up to 139 registrants. Participants submitted 842 checklists across the province from 35 of the 50 census divisions. Despite us getting into the depths of winter, an impressive 137 species were reported including 30 species of waterfowl, three grebes, eight gulls, eight hawks, seven owls, five thrushes, nine finches, 11 sparrows, and six blackbirds.

Some more unusual species reported were Greater White-fronted Goose, King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Wilson's Snipe, Glaucous-winged Gull, Eastern Phoebe, Mountain Bluebird, Townsend's Solitaire, American Pipit, Dark-eyed "Oregon" Junco, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, and Baltimore Oriole.

For total species, Chatham-Kent led the way with 91, followed by Toronto (71), Lambton (61), Niagara (61), Hamilton (56), and Essex (56). For checklists, Toronto (157) was tops, followed by Peterborough (67), Hamilton (52), Middlesex (51), and Muskoka (44).

December 27th - January 9th

In the third two weeks of the challenge (December 27-January 9) we are up to 134 registrants. Participants submitted 1,094 checklists across the province from 41 of the 50 census divisions. An impressive 155 species were reported including 34 species of waterfowl, three grebes, eight gulls, eight hawks, eight owls, ten finches, 13 sparrows, and five warblers.

Unusual Species

Some more unusual species reported were Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Ross's Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Glaucous-winged Gull, House Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Nelson's Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Black-throated Gray Warbler.

County Participation

For total species, Chatham-Kent led the way with 108, followed by Lambton (89), Toronto (79), Niagara (67), and Hamilton (65). For checklists, Toronto (154) was tops, followed by Peterborough (76), Middlesex (56), Hamilton (55), and Frontenac (55).

December 13th - 26th

In the second two weeks of the challenge we are up to 120 registrants. Participants submitted 876 checklists across the province from 36 of the 50 census divisions. An impressive 148 species were reported including 33 species of waterfowl, four shorebirds, six owls, four wrens, ten finches, and 13 sparrows.

Unusual Species

Some interesting species reported were Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Purple Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Razorbill, American Three-toed Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, House Wren, American Pipit, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Nelson's Sparrow, and Palm Warbler.

County Participation

For total species, Lambton jumped out in front with 86, followed by Chatham-Kent (82), Toronto Frontenac (62), Hamilton (49), Peterborough (45), and Middlesex (45).

December 1 - 12th

In the first two weeks of the challenge we are up to 107 registrants. Participants submitted 742 checklists across the province from 36 of the 50 census divisions. An impressive 158 species were reported including 35 species of waterfowl, three grebes, ten gulls, nine hawks, seven owls, nine finches, 13 sparrows, and four warblers.

Unusual Species

Some unusual species reported were Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Ross's Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Rufous Hummingbird, Purple Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, AMerican Woodcock, Razorbill, Black-legged Kittiwake, Glaucous-winged Gull, Great Egret, Black Vulture, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Townsend's Solitaire, American Pipit, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Nelson's Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Palm Warbler.

County Participation

For total species, Chatham-Kent led the way with 108, followed by Toronto (86), Halton (80), Hamilton (77), and Niagara (71). For checklists, Toronto (95) was tops, followed by Middlesex (57), Niagara (52), Hamilton (46), and Wellington (45).