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Longterm
Bird Projects  Last
updated 10/21/05
Winter
Feeder Count
Ever since 1981 we have been keeping track of our
feeder birds in a systematic way, enabling us to document some interesting
changes in the numbers of local birds. For example, our combined
results show a strong increase in the numbers of Mourning Doves
and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Many questions, however, are
not yet answered. Will House Finches return to their numbers
before "Finch Eye disease"? Will Carolina Wrens
continue to increase, or has the recent severe winter set them back?
Will Red-bellied Woodpeckers spread throughout the county
or remain in the river valleys? We do not know the answers
to these questions, but we know our feeder survey is the best way
to find out.
Join
the Fun!
We hope you would like to participate. Here’s
how it works. Make a list of the kinds of birds you see at
your feeders (or in your yard) during the first 7 days of the month
(we start in November and end in April). Count the numbers
of each kind of bird that you see and record the largest number
that you see at any one time. (For example, if you count 5
Chickadees on the 2nd and then see 3 on the 6th, you will report
that you have 5 Chickadees. Or if you count 8 Mourning Doves
one day and see 12 another day, report 12). Please do not
estimate or add the numbers; report only actual counts. You
do not have to do this every day, but the more often you are able
to check the feeders, the larger your list will be. Don’t
worry if you can’t do it every month–whatever you can
do is fine. After the week is over, send your report.
We are also very interested in your sightings of birds
at other times and places in the county, so please feel free to
add extra notes along with your feeder list. THANKS!
You can submit your results in one of two ways:
 |
Save your postage! Enter your numbers directly
into our online form and send
them off electronically. |
|
If you prefer to fill out and mail a paper form, you can print
it from this website. |
Valerie
Freer
2004/05
Feeder Count Summary 
5/21/05
The arrival of several bears in April coincided with
the ending of our feeder counts for another winter. While there
are probably a few reports still to be sent in, we totaled up those
received so far, and found that 38 people counted the birds at their
feeders and sent reports. Sixteen did all six of the counts from
November through April, and 10 more sent in five out of the six.
When we look just at those who participated in every
count, the greatest variety of kinds of birds was reported from
Wurtsboro, where both Arlene Borko and Sylvia Maliga averaged 19
kinds per count (even when waterfowl are not included). Bob and
Betty Klein and Valerie Freer averaged 18 species per count and
Alex Cherviok averaged 17 species. Ruth Shursky, Herm Bressler and
Phil Meisner averaged 16 species per report, followed by Sue Rayano
and Fred Horwitz with 15 species per report. Many others counted
from 10 to 14 species.
The people with the greatest variety put up many
feeders of several different types containing a variety of foods,
and their yards have good cover for the birds. (They also spent
more time watching than those who work full time!)
If any of you still have reports to send in, with large numbers
or small, please do so. (Note that you can send them via snail mail
or e-mail, or through our website.) Many thanks to all who participated!
Valerie
Freer
Warblings,
May-August 2005
Join
the Fun!
Participants keep track of the largest number of each kind seen
at the feeder (or in the yard) during the first week of each winter
month (November through April). (For example, if you see 3
Blue Jays on the second, and 5 on the fourth, you report 5, not
8.) There is no charge.
You can submit your results in one of two ways:
|
Save your postage! Enter your numbers directly
into our online form and send
them off electronically. |
|
If you prefer to fill out and mail a paper form, you can print
it from this website. |
|
