Ontbirders, Tomorrow, December 1 marks the beginning of the winter birding period. Blake Maybank has asked me to compile the Ontario sightings this year, and Blake will be hosting the results on his website, http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/maybank/other/onwinter.htm. Links to the lists for the other Canadian provinces and territories, as well as a few other select areas, are found near the top of the web page. The winter birding season includes the period from December 1 to February 28/29, inclusive. Approximately 340 species have been recorded during the winter in Ontario, with around 200 species recorded annually. Last season, 217 species were recorded during the winter period, down from the 224 the winter before but still the second highest total since records have been tabulated. Highlights from last winter included Western Grebe, Baird's Sandpiper, several Slaty-backed Gulls, White-winged Dove, Fish Crow, Cave Swallow, Barn Swallow, Bay-breasted Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and Western Tanager. Just post your sightings to Ontbirds, ebird.org, or send me an email, and I will post an update to Ontbirds every month or so. That way you can check the list and inform me of any species that have been seen but are not present on the list. Enjoy the winter birding season! ----------------------------------------------- Josh Vandermeulen Schomberg, Ontario joshvandermeulen@live.ca 289-221-4695 (cell) joshvandermeulen.blogspot.com (blog)