2002 Annual Report
– Bird Records
In 2002 a total of 254 species were reported from Thunder Bay District by members and friends of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists. This is well above the average of 244 species over the past 16 years and ties the record high of 254 species which was set in 1995. One new species was added to the checklist this year (see below), bringing the total to 343 species (this total includes 4 extinct/extirpated species).Regular species – Of the 228 species that are considered to be regularly occurring in Thunder Bay District, 224 were reported in 2002. The four species not seen were completely different from last year. They were: Upland Sandpiper, Common Tern, Black Tern and Short-eared Owl. Red-headed Woodpecker, after an absence of 6 years, was reported several times in 2002.
Rare species – In 2002, there were 30 rare species reported, a big increase over last year's 22. Many of these were identified at the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory. The addition to the checklist was Lazuli Bunting, a female having been seen on a TBFN field trip on June 6 near Dorion. A report of this bird has been submitted to the Ontario Bird Records Committee.
Exotic species – A European Goldfinch was reported from a Schreiber feeder in July.
Name Changes – As a result of a split by the American Ornithological Union, our Snipe is now Wilson's Snipe again, Common Snipe being reserved for the old world population.
I wish to extend my thanks to those who report their bird sightings to the undersigned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nick Escott
