A great time was had by all at the Lake Erie Islands Count Circle, Audubon Christmas Bird Count! It was held on December 14, 2014 with counters on Pelee Island, Kelleys Island, all three Bass Islands that day. We visited Green Island with a permit on December 13. We had a warm day with open water which made for a pleasant fun count! This was the year of the owls with record number of great horned, eastern screech owl on all the islands, a snowy owl on both North Bass and Pelee Island, and a northern saw-whet and long-eared owl on Kelleys Island.

Attached is a summary on the count as well as the species and numbers of birds seen that day and some highlight photos from the day. Snowy owls continue to be spotted around Lake Erie this winter. The photo of the snowy owl below  was taken at South Bass Island by Elizabeth Heinemanon December 23-a nice Christmas present for the islanders!

X-Mas Bird Count 2014 Narrative For Gazette

2014 Xmas Count TOTALS ALL ISLANDS for Gazette Julene Market and Paula Zeibarth on their way to Green Island for the Christmas Count

Paula Zeibarth, Karen Wilhelm, and Susan Harrington enjoying the Christmas Bird Count on South Bass Island.