Sunday, January 02, 2022

Counting

As my long-time readers may remember, I count birds at my feeders during the winter months to participate in the Cornell Feeder Watch program. This data helps us understand how bird populations change or move to new areas of the United States and Canada or evaluate patterns of migration. It also helps us understand how they may be changing due to the challenges of climate change. I understand that some "people" believe that climate change is like a religion and optional as to whether you believe in it or not, but with all due respect they are idiots.  Birds tell us a great deal about changes in nature.

"Project FeederWatch is supported almost entirely by its participants. The annual participation fee is $18 for U.S. residents ($15 for Cornell Lab members). Canadians can participate by donating any amount to Birds Canada. These contributions cover materials, staff support, web design, data analysis, and the year-end report (Winter Bird Highlights). Without the support of our participants, this project wouldn’t be possible.

Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada. Since 2016, Project FeederWatch has been sponsored by Wild Bird Unlimited."

I have learned that the ground feeder birds such as White Throats will also fly up and try to use the hanging feeders when what drops below is gone.  They are not designed to 'bend' that way as they are bobbers, but they learn.  

Yes, a bit blurry!
I have learned that the best suet feeders for my woodpeckers include a plank to rest their tails just like they would naturally do against a tree trunk or branch. 



The Blue Jays are greedy and stuff their crops (a muscular pouch that is an extension of a bird’s esophagus used to store excess food prior to digestion) before leaving my bowl feeders. See his bulging crop?



I have learned that sometimes I get this rare visitor below, which I think is a thrasher.  I am all for thrashing away the old year!  Now I must get back to my counting.





12 comments:

  1. We have a multitude of cardinals. I'm seeing sunflower seed eaters mostly right now because that's the seed with peanuts mixed in I have right now and only one bird feeder but now with the deck I'll be getting at least one more.

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  2. Sounds like a great idea...counting. Right now I hear many little birds outside (no feeders allowed at our apts.) and worry because snow is forecast here tonight and 28 degrees!

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  3. Good program
    Woodpecker tail support, I had no idea. I will get a better suet feeder.

    I know there are people that don't believe in climate change, much like anti-vaccination people. But, it is difficult for me to grasp that many lovely Americans as idiot suffering in a pandemic of Idiot19. I pray for them.

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  4. Pretty cool about the woodpecker feeder adaptation.

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  5. Bird watching is one of the great pleasures in life. Enjoy!

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  6. Much can be deducted from this data.

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  7. My Wednesday lady feeds the birds, and she's had a hawk around lately which has kept most of them away. Maybe when the hawk tires and moves on, her birds will come back. Meanwhile, i'll tell her about this project, she does love participating in things.

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  8. We have been enjoying watching the birds at our feeders during our snowy week. The flickers and jays do appreciate the tailboard on our suet feeder, but the flock of tiny bush tits who swarm it are cuter. Juncos are ground feeders but they have adapted to our sunflower seed feeder and keep cleaning us out. Wild Birds Unlimited gets our business but the cost of sunflower chips has gone sky high. We keep paying for the entertainment value. Our pair of hummingbirds have appreciated the nectar feeder when everything else was frozen.

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  9. That was news to me about woodpecker/flicker etc tail support. The birds around our condo have a struggle with the local squirrels right now. I will have to shop up a better arrangement. Thank you.

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  10. I am delighted to see your dedication to this very worthwhile project. Other than the Brown Thrasher your pictures could have been from my own backyard. As I look out right now there is a Red-breasted Nuthatch, several American Goldfinches, a Downy Woodpecker, about a dozen Dark-eyed Juncos and a couple of Mourning Doves.

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  11. I have barn cats and have not been able to put out feeders for the birds. While my kids were here they put up a fence outside for their dogs. Then they added a small fence around my propane tank and a tree. The put up feeders and I loved watching the birds. When my kids left they took their feeders and I was so sad watching the birds appear looking for the food. Since it was a well enclosed area, I bought my own feeder and keep it filled. It is such a joy to watch the beautiful birds out my kitchen window and have yet to see a cat go in the area.

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  12. Absolutely beautiful birds, I love the Woodpeckers.

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Glad to hear from you once again. I really like these visits. Come sit on this log and tell me what you are thinking.