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.