Listed below are the 2003 highlights from the Muskoka Bird Board, an Internet website devoted to information on rare and unusual bird sightings in Muskoka. Other interesting wildlife sightings are occasionally listed as well.

 “The year began with the sighting of a Robin, giving us hopes of an early spring. A Red-necked Grebe was a little too hopeful in late February when it "crash-landed" on an ice-covered lake near Novar. The bird was rescued and released in open water at Huntsville. When spring finally did arrive, it was not an easy one for early migrants. A sudden late blast of winter weather made survival too difficult for many Bluebirds and Tree Swallows, but hardier birds like the Robins seemed to get by.

The Wild Turkey population appears to be doing just fine judging from the increased number of sightings. The Bracebridge Ponds continued to provide an amazing diversity of bird species, including the brief visit of a White Pelican! Perhaps just as surprising was the almost completely white Hummingbird that was photographed at a feeder in Bala. There were very low numbers of Blue Jays on Christmas Bird Counts, probably because many birds migrated south due to a lack of food. Hopefully their low numbers are not due to the impact of West Nile virus. As the year came to a close, there were some reports of large numbers of Common Redpolls and Evening Grosbeaks. With "winter finches" on the move it may be time to stock up on that sunflower seed!

Some of the other birding highlights of 2003 included Great Egret, Carolina Wren, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Sandhill Crane, Upland Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Mockingbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Horned Grebe, Green Heron, Virginia Rail, Northern Pintail, Caspian Tern, and Osprey. Other nature sightings included descriptions of dragonflies and butterflies, caterpillars and moths, bears, moose, turtles, frogs, flying squirrels, and wildflowers. The complete set of postings for 2003 can be found in the Archived Reports. Thanks for all your reports.”

  2004 has started out with a rarity, too. A Northern Hawk Owl has been reported in the area since the weekend of Jan 3^rd. The Muskoka Bird Board is a place to share reports of bird sightings and other nature sightings in and around the Muskoka area of Ontario, Canada. Reports are welcome from surrounding areas such as Parry Sound, Midland, Orillia, Haliburton, Algonquin Park, and North Bay. Announcements of birding and other nature related events or field trips are also very welcome. The Muskoka. Bird Board website is at  http://b3.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?&user=MuskokaBirdBoard