Happy Hamilton bird-watchers spot species usually long-gone

The warm weather means bird-watchers in Hamilton and Niagara have more than partridges in pear trees and turtle doves to count this Christmas.

"We're enjoying this warm fall," said Bruce Mackenzie, director of the bird study group for the Hamilton Naturalists Club. "There are a few birds that are still in the midst that we normally don't get to enjoy."

Among the species that have been spotted nearby recently: Great egrets, some loons, cave swallows and a few warblers, like orange-crown, palm and Wilson's.

Those warblers are usually gone by September, Mackenzie said. And the cave swallows, a southwestern bird, typically show up in November only.

"It's exciting for the bird-watchers," Mackenzie said. "One, to find old friends.You expect to see certain things in the winter and if they're not here, why not? But finding an unusual thing can be the highlight of the day."

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95th annual Christmas bird count

It will make for an interesting Christmas count the 95th annual count in Hamilton is scheduled for Dec. 26, in St. Catharines on Dec. 27. There's a new one this year in Grimsby on Jan. 2.

"If the weather stays as predicted we expect to see a lot of birds because the weather is somewhat stable," Mackenzie said. "The weather will be conducive to getting people out for long hours."

Mackenzie said there are still a few "zones" left to be claimed for the new count in Grimsby.

In his world, that's a coveted thing.

"Once a person gets a zone for a Christmas bird count you pretty much have to inherit it," Mackenzie said.

You can even help from your living room by logging what you see from your house at your bird-feeder.

"You don't have to go outside to participate," he said.

Mackenzie expects the count will show more than 100 different species this year.

"We expect to pick up some species that either wouldn't be here or would be very quiet and subdued because of the cold," he said.