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BIRD AND MAMMAL COUNT COMPLETED
Despite bitterly cold -50C wind
chill values on Sunday, January 05th, 19
wildlife observers in the locality of Togo, Saskatchewan
counted a total of 813 birds and 71 mammals.
Doug Elsasser, who compiled count
numbers provided by the other observers, said that a
total of 19 bird species and 8 species of mammals were
represented.
“On the actual count day, January
05th, most of the counting was done indoors
by looking at bird feeders,” he said. The most unusual
bird seen on that day was a Brown-headed Cowbird sighted
south of Togo.
House sparrows were the most
abundant species recorded. The sparrow tally was 187
birds, followed by Snow Buntings at 165 and Black-capped
Chickadees at 162.
The number of both Grosbeak species
was down this year. Only 80 Evening Grosbeaks and 24
Pine Grosbeaks were seen.
The Togo locality bird and mammal
count was part of a provincial effort sponsored by
Nature Saskatchewan. Results are published in the
group’s natural history journal called The Blue Jay.
Count compilers and observers are
invited to record all birds and mammals sighted during
the Dec 14th to January 05th count
period, and make a special effort to sight and record
wildlife on count day.
“During the count period, our observers spotted an
adult Bald Eagle, a type of falcon called the
Merlin, and a Northern Shrike,” said Elsasser. These
predatory birds are on top of the food chain.
Observers also spotted a variety of upland game
birds, notably the Sharp-tailed Grouse, the Ruffed
Grouse, and the Hungarian Partridge.
On the mammal side, observers in and around Togo saw 26
White-tailed deer and 24 Elk. Two Timber Wolves, one
Moose, 7 Snowshoe Hares, and 4 Flying Squirrels were
also recorded.
Nature Saskatchewan appreciates the
effort that everyone takes in making the Christmas Bird
and Mammal Count Saskatchewan’s most popular nature
event. |
