The birding conditions were perhaps the best ever in the 50 years of this count: light winds, cloudy with no precipitation, fairly mild (minus 5 to minus 4 C), nearly all ground bare which really helped in this mostly on-foot count, and a good tree seed crop that attracted lots of finches. The 35 species observed was a new high, with 34 having been observed on three previous counts, and an average tally of 27. The total individuals reported was 12,252 ( average: 4,459 and highest: 17,252). There were 111 observers (previous highest: 110). Record High Totals (with previous highs in brackets): Bohemian Waxwing 8 (3), Hoary Redpoll 4 (2), Pine Siskin 5,314 (4,214). Unusual species for this count: Northern Saw-whet Owl (1), American Crow (6), Bohemian Waxwing (8), Hoary Redpoll (4), White-throated Sparrow (2). Finches: Evening Grosbeak (336), Pine Grosbeak (14), Purple Finch (537), Common Redpoll (1,075), Hoary Redpoll (4), Red Crossbill (1,330), White-winged Crossbill (459), Pine Siskin (5,314), American Goldfinch (171). Thanks to all our observers, The Friends of Algonquin Park and Ontario Parks for their contributions to this excellent count. Happy New Year. Ron Tozer Compiler (1974 to 2023)