2016-2017 Winter Bird Feeder Count Results

Well, it seems that I have no time to add to this blog anymore, but since I've discussed our results from the Indiana Audubon Society Winter Bird Feeder Count since 2009-2010, I don't want to stop now. During this Indiana citizen science project, the greatest number of each bird species observed at feeders in your yard on the 20th to 25th of November, December, January, and February are tallied.  For our results from all but the 2008-2009 Winter Bird Feeder Counts, see our past posts: 2015-2016, 2014-2015, 2013-2014, 2012-2013, 2011-2012, 2010-2011, and 2009-2010. 

In 2015-2016, we saw the greatest summed average of individuals of any of our counts (202.5).  In 2016-2017, our summed average of individuals dropped by nearly 100 (108.75).  We tallied 26 species at our feeding stations during the count, which ranks third for all of the years we've participated in the count (we had 29 species in 2015-2016 and 27 species in 2008-2009; 21 species in 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014 are our low counts).  The number of species observed was greater than our nine-year average of 23.78 species. We tallied an average of 19.5 species per month (ranking third behind 21.0 species per month in 2015-2016 and 20.5 species per month in 2008-2009).  We observed 18 species in November 2016, 22 species in December 2016, 16 species in January 2017, and 22 species in February 2017.  Our nine-year monthly averages stand at 17.6 in November, 17.9 in December, 17.9 in January, and 19.8 in February.  In general, numbers seem to increase when more snow and colder temperatures are present, and we didn't have much of either in 2016-2017 (as discussed below).

We began putting out bird food for our winter birds, such as this male Downy Woodpecker and female Northern Cardinal, on October 1, 2016.

The list of species observed during our 2016-2017 Winter Bird Feeder Count is found at the end of this post.  Species not observed during this count that we have seen on at least one other count include Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea), and Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus).  We had an early Pine Siskin before the November count period, but this was not an irruption year for Common Redpolls or Pine Siskins, so it is not surprising that we did not have either of these northern visitors at our feeders during the count period.

We've now tallied 37 species using our feeders (or hawks showing an interest in feeder birds) during the nine seasons that we've participated in this count.  A Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) showed up and was eating bird food from under a feeder during the February 2017 count period, marking the first time during the Winter Bird Feeder Count in the nine seasons we've participated that we have observed this species.

A single Song Sparrow was present under our feeders in December 2016 and February 2017.

The low temperature during our 2016-2017 count was 14 degrees Fahrenheit in December and the high temperature reached 63 degrees Fahrenheit in February.  November and December temperatures during the 2016-2017 Winter Bird Feeder Count on our property were within the range of previous years, but January and February were much warmer than average. January saw the highest low temperature during the nine-year history (36 degrees Fahrenheit) and the highest high temperature during the nine-year history (61 degrees Fahrenheit).  February saw the second highest low temperature during the nine-year history (28 degrees Fahrenheit, second only to 33 degrees Fahrenheit in February 2016) and the second highest high temperature during the nine-year history (63 degrees Fahrenheit, second only to 67 degrees Fahrenheit in February 2016).  The low temperatures were below average in December but above average in November, January, and February, and the high temperatures were below average in November and December but well above average in January and February.  Snow cover was within the range of other counts, with the exception of January and February, when there was less than 1 inch of snow for the first time in any of the counts during our nine-year history.  Low and high snow cover totals were below average in November, January, and February.  The deepest snow cover during the count was observed in December (6 inches).

 

We tallied between 3 and 6 Downy Woodpeckers at our feeders during the count.

Species observed most frequently (those present during all four count periods) in 2016-2017 were Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus).

House Finches were present during all four months of the count.

Species observed in greatest abundance during a single month of the count (with the greatest number observed at one time in parentheses) were American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos, 28 in December), European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris, 15 in December), American Tree Sparrow (13 in December, 10 in January, and 12 in February), Dark-eyed Junco (10 in December, 10 in January, and 10 in February), American Goldfinch (22 in November and 23 in February), and House Sparrow (32 in November and 25 in January).  The most abundant species based on average over the four months of the count were House Sparrow (17.0) and American Goldfinch (14.0). 

 

White-crowned Sparrow numbers took another hit at our feeders in 2016-2017.

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) numbers have been a roller coaster during the nine seasons we have participated in the count.  From 2008-2009 to 2013-2014, this species declined in number of individuals at our feeders from an average of 3.0 to an average of 0.3.  In the next two seasons, numbers increased back to an average of 2.3. In 2016-2017, we found an average of just 0.5. We'll need to keep a close eye on this species moving forward.

We had not observed White-throated Sparrows at our feeders during the first six seasons of the count, but they've been present in the past three seasons.

We logged average high counts for 9 species in 2016-2017: Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus, 0.50), Red-bellied Woodpecker (2.75), Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus, 1.75), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus, 0.50), White-breasted Nuthatch (3.50), Yellow-rumped Warbler (0.25), White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis, 0.50), Dark-eyed Junco (9.50), and Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus, 0.25). 

2016-2017 Winter Bird Feeder Count Species List
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

2015-2016 Winter Bird Feeder Count Results

Lindsay and I have participated in the Indiana Audubon Society Winter Bird Feeder Count during each of the past eight winters.  During this Indiana citizen science project, the greatest number of each bird species observed at feeders in your yard on the 20th to 25th of November, December, January, and February are tallied.  For our results from all but the 2008-2009 Winter Bird Feeder Counts, see our past posts: 2014-2015, 2013-2014, 2012-2013, 2011-2012, 2010-2011, and 2009-2010.

Northern Cardinals were the fourth most abundant species at our feeders during the 2015-2016 count.  The bird in this photo is a female.

In the past couple of years, I'd reported that we may be seeing a trend of a decreasing number of individuals visiting our feeder.  That changed this year, as we had a greater summed average of individuals in 2015-2016 (202.5) than in any other count period during our history of the count (second highest is 154.25, observed in 2008-2009). 

Like several other species, Northern Cardinal numbers were higher at our feeders this year than in any year in the past.  The bird pictured is a male.

In terms of number of species observed at our feeding stations during the count, we had our best count ever in 2015-2016, tallying 29 species (27 species in 2008-2009 is our next highest count; 21 species in 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014 are our low counts).  The number of species observed was greater than our eight-year average of 23.5 species. We tallied an average of 21.0 species per month (edging out our second highest average of 20.5 species per month in 2008-2009).   We observed 24 species in November 2015, 17 species in December 2015, 24 species in January 2016, and 19 species in February 2016.  Our eight-year monthly averages stand at 17.5 in November, 17.4 in December, 18.1 in January, and 19.5 in February.  In general, numbers seem to increase when more snow and colder temperatures are present.

American Goldfinch numbers have shown a decreasing trend over the eight years of observation at our feeders during the Winter Bird Feeder Count. 

The list of species observed during our 2015-2016 Winter Bird Feeder Count is found at the end of this post.  Species not observed during this count that we have seen on at least one other count include Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea), and Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus); a Sharp-shinned Hawk showed up the day after the January count period.  This was not an irruption year for Common Redpolls or Pine Siskins, so it is not surprising that we did not have either of these northern visitors at our feeders this season. 

This Sharp-shinned Hawk was not tallied during the Winter Bird Feeder Count at our feeders, but showed up on January 26, 2016, one day after the count period ended.

We've now tallied 36 species using our feeders (or hawks showing an interest in feeder birds) during the eight seasons that we've participated in this count.  Species observed at our feeders for the first time during the Winter Bird Feeder Count in 2015-2016 include Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) and Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus).

The Carolina Wren on the right provided our first ever record of this species at our feeders during a Winter Bird Feeder Count.

The low temperature during our 2015-2016 count was 11 degrees Fahrenheit in November and the high temperature reached 67 degrees Fahrenheit in February.  Temperatures during the 2015-2016 Winter Bird Feeder Count on our property were mostly within the range of previous years with the following exceptions: November saw the lowest low temperature during the eight year history (11 degrees Fahrenheit), February saw the highest low temperature during the eight year history (33 degrees Fahrenheit), December saw the highest high temperature during the eight year history (62 degrees Fahrenheit), and February saw the highest high temperature during the eight year history (67 degrees Fahrenheit). The low and high temperatures were below average in November but above average in December, January, and February.  Snow cover was within the range of other counts during each month.  Low snow cover totals were below average each month in 2015-2016, and high snow cover totals were above average in November and February but below average in December and January.  The deepest snow cover during the count was observed in February (7 inches).

Dark-eyed Juncos are common winter residents.

Species observed most frequently (those present during all four count periods) in 2015-2016 were Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea), White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus).

This male House Finch is lacking carotenoids from his diet.

Species observed in greatest abundance during a single month of the count (with the greatest number observed at one time in parentheses) were Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater, 220 in February, 80 in January, and 14 in November), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus, 50 in November), American Tree Sparrow (30 in February and 13 in November), European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris, 20 in January and 15 in February), House Finch (19 in January and 14 in November), Northern Cardinal (18 in February, 14 in January, and 10 in December), House Sparrow (18 in November and 10 in February), American Goldfinch (14 in December and 12 in November), Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula, 11 in February), and Dark-eyed Junco (10 in January).

This female Red-winged Blackbird hung around into November.

The most abundant species based on average over the four months of the count were Brown-headed Cowbird (78.5), American Tree Sparrow (14.8), Red-winged Blackbird (14.5), Northern Cardinal (11.5), House Sparrow (11.3), House Finch (10.8), and European Starling (10.0). 

Fox Sparrows have shown up during our feeder count the last three years and four of the last six years.  This year was the first time we had more than one.  During the Great Backyard Bird Count (just before the February feeder count period), there were four Fox Sparrows feeding on cracked corn in our driveway at one time.

White-crowned Sparrows continued to rebound at our feeding stations in 2015-2016.  From 2008-2009 to 2012-2013, this species declined in number of individuals at our feeders from an average of 3.0 to an average of 0.3.  In 2015-2016, we found an average of 2.3 White-crowned Sparrows at our feeding stations during the count period.  Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), however, have been decreasing at our feeders during the feeder count since 2011-2012 (to an average of 2.3 in 2015-2016).  House Finches have increased fairly consistently since we've been conducting the count, whereas American Goldfinches have shown a generally decreasing trend.

 

Just can't get enough of those Fox Sparrows!

We logged average high counts for an astounding 17 species in 2015-2016: Red-bellied Woodpecker (2.25), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus, 0.50), Blue Jay (5.75), Tufted Titmouse (3.25), Carolina Wren (0.25), American Robin (Turdus migratorius, 0.50), Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca, 1.00), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia, 1.00), White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis, 0.50), Dark-eyed Junco (8.75), Northern Cardinal (11.50), Red-winged Blackbird (14.50), Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus, 0.25), Common Grackle (3.50), Brown-headed Cowbird (78.50), Purple Finch (0.25), and House Finch (10.75). 

2015-2016 Winter Bird Feeder Count Species List
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

2014-2015 Winter Bird Feeder Count Results

As we have during the past six seasons, Lindsay and I participated in the Indiana Audubon Society Winter Bird Feeder Count this winter.  During this citizen science project, the greatest number of each bird species observed at feeders in your yard on the 20th to 25th of November, December, January, and February are tallied.  For our results from past Winter Bird Feeder Counts, see our posts here (2013-2014), here (2012-2013), here (2011-2012), here (2010-2011), and here (2009-2010).

The area below our feeding stations saw activity from several ground-feeding species such as Mourning Dove and Northern Cardinal

Because of my job change last March, I now work from my home office during the winter, allowing me a better opportunity to count our feeder birds.  Even with this advantage, the trend of decreasing number of individuals that I mentioned last year seems to be continuing, but this observed result may have something to do with an extraordinary number of individuals observed during the 2008-2009 count, the first year we participated in the Winter Bird Feeder Count.  We will continue to track this metric, and as we obtain more data we may see the number of individuals observed annually level out to some extent.

A male Hairy Woodpecker visited our suet feeders in December, January, and February.

In terms of number of species observed at our feeding stations during the count, we had our second best count ever in 2014-2015, tallying 24 species (27 species in 2008-2009 is our high count; 21 species in 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014 are our low counts).  This number is greater than our seven-year average of 22.7 species.  We observed 18 species in November 2014, 17 species in December 2014, 18 species in January 2015, and 20 species in February 2015.  Our seven-year monthly averages stand at 16.3 in November, 17.5 in December, 17.2 in January, and 19.5 in February.

American Goldfinch reached a peak of 15 individuals in November and was represented during all four count periods.

The list of species observed during our 2014-2015 Winter Bird Feeder Count is found at the end of this post.  Species not observed during this count that we have seen on at least one other count include Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), and Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea); I saw Northern Flicker behind our house the day after the February count period, and I heard American Robin on our property (not at feeders) during the Great Backyard Bird Count February 13-16, 2015.  This was not an irruption year for Common Redpolls, so it is not surprising that we did not have them at our feeders.  The cold weather through February has also probably resulted in fewer blackbirds in northern Indiana this winter. 

2014-2015 saw large numbers of Northern Cardinals visiting our feeders, especially in January and February.

We've now tallied 34 species using our feeders (or hawks showing an interest in feeder birds) during the seven seasons that we've participated in this count.  Species observed at our feeders for the first time during the Winter Bird Feeder Count in 2014-2015 include Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), and White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).

Two of our first time Winter Bird Feeder Count visitors were observed at the same time in February 2015 - Field Sparrow (back) and White-throated Sparrow (front).

Temperatures during the 2014-2015 Winter Bird Feeder Count on our property were mostly within the range of previous years with the exception of February, which reached a record low temperature of -10 degrees Fahrenheit.  Snow cover overall was fairly average.  The low temperature during our 2014-2015 count was -10 degrees Fahrenheit in February and the high temperature reached 52 degrees Fahrenheit in November.  The deepest snow cover during the count was observed in February (6 inches).

Blue Jays seem to be making a comeback after their decline several years ago as a result of West Nile Virus.

Species observed most frequently (those present during all four count periods) in 2014-2015 were Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus).

We tallied 11 Dark-eyed Juncos at our feeders during both the December and January count periods.

Species observed in greatest abundance during a single month of the count (with the greatest number observed at one time in parentheses) were House Sparrow (45 in January, 20 in February, and 12 in November), American Tree Sparrow (24 in February and 11 in January), Northern Cardinal (18 in February and 17 in January), American Goldfinch (15 in November), House Finch (13 in January), Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus, 13 in December), and Dark-eyed Junco (11 in December and February).

A flock of 13 Pine Siskins showed up at our feeders just in time to be counted during the December count period.

The most abundant species based on average over the four months of the count were House Sparrow (21.0), Northern Cardinal (11.5), and American Tree Sparrow (10.5). 

American Tree Sparrows and Northern Cardinals are common winter residents.

White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) made a bit of a rebound at our feeding stations in 2014-2015.  From 2008-2009 to 2012-2013, this species declined in number of individuals at our feeders from an average of 3.0 to an average of 0.25.  In 2014-2015, we found an average of 2.0 White-crowned Sparrows at our feeding stations during the count period.

White-crowned Sparrows may be making a comeback at our feeders, but we did not see any during the February count period.

We logged average high counts for six species in 2014-2015: Sharp-shinned Hawk (0.25), Blue Jay (5.75), Song Sparrow (1.00), Northern Cardinal (11.50), House Finch (7.75), and House Sparrow (21.00).  Hopefully these high counts are not indicative of a trend of increasing non-native species at our feeders.  We'll have to keep an eye on this during future counts.

The non-native House Finch may be increasing at our feeders.

2014-2015 Winter Bird Feeder Count Species List
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
Blue Jay
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
American Tree Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca)
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

A Welcomed Visitor

In the days leading up to and following the (in my opinion much overhyped) recent "Snowmageddon," we noticed an increase in the number of birds at our feeders, and in the amount of bird food that was consumed.


In the photograph above, House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus), American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis), a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), and an American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) enjoy a meal on our platform feeder.


Above, House Finches and an American Goldfinch are joined by a Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor).


Like Tufted Titmice, the White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) shown above doesn't stick around on the feeder for long. It grabs some food and quickly flies off to cache a morsel in the bark of a nearby tree for a later snack.


Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), like the one on the platform above, have been especially plentiful as of late, with our high count being around 15 individuals. But who is that on the suet feeder?


The snow and cold weather seemed to have brought a female Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) to our feeders. Our suet feeders are frequented by Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens), Hairy Woodpeckers (Picoides villosus), and Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) in the winter, but we rarely see Northern Flickers eating at our feeders. When we do encounter this species in our yard, it is often on the ground or at the base of a tree feeding on ants (their primary food source) or beetles. The subspecies that we see in the eastern United States is called the Yellow-shafted Flicker (C. auratus auratus); Red-shafted Flickers (C. auratus cafer) reside in the western United States. The common names of these subspecies come from the color under the tail, on the underwings, and on the shafts of the primary feathers. You can easily see the characteristic yellow or red, as well as the characteristic white rump, when the bird is in flight. At one time, Yellow-shafted Flickers and Red-shafted Flickers were considered two distinct species. However, hybrids which look intermediate between the two are common where the ranges overlap, and thus the two have been taxonomically lumped into one species with two subspecies.

For more information on Northern Flickers, including some amazing information on their tongues (that's right, their tongues), be sure to check out this post by Janet Creamer and this post by Jim McCormac.

2009-2010 Winter Feeder Count Results

Another season of the Indiana Audubon Society Winter Bird Feeder Count wrapped up last week. Although a quick look outside indicates that it is still winter in northern Indiana, frequently hearing the songs of Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, and Song Sparrow leads me to believe that spring is just around the corner.

Downy Woodpecker (male)

Feeder watchers all around the state participate in the Winter Bird Feeder Count, which is conducted by recording the maximum number of individuals at one time of each species present at feeders during the four count periods (November 20-25, December 20-25, January 20-25, and February 20-25). Hawks showing interest in feeder birds are also counted.

American Goldfinch

At our feeders during the count this winter, we saw 15 species during the November period, 17 species during the December period, 19 species during the January period, and 18 species during the February period, for a total of 21 species during the count (our complete species list from the 2009-2010 count is shown at the end of this post).

Dark-eyed Junco (male)

Species observed most frequently (those present during all four count periods) in 2009-2010 were Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, European Starling, American Tree Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. Species observed in greatest abundance (with the greatest number observed at one time in parentheses) were American Crow (27 in December), Northern Cardinal (18 in February), American Goldfinch (18 in January), House Sparrow (16 in December), Mourning Dove (14 in November), and American Tree Sparrow (12 in January).

American Goldfinch and House Sparrow (male)

Our numbers were off a bit from what we saw during the 2008-2009 Winter Bird Feeder Count. During that count, we had 19 species in November, 20 species in December, 18 species in January, and 25 species in February, for a total of 27 species during the 2008-2009 count period. Species we missed out on this year that we saw last year were Red-winged Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird, Common Grackle, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, and Snow Bunting. The more northern species (Common Redpoll and Pine Siskin) never made a strong appearance in Indiana this winter as a result of having sufficient food sources available further north. We had one Red-winged Blackbird show up our feeders this winter, but he showed up between count periods and didn't hang around more than a few days. Temperatures during the 2008-2009 count (-10 to 55 degrees Farenheit) varied more than during the 2009-2010 count (20-58 degrees Farenheit), and the very cold temperatures in December 2008 could have caused Snow Buntings to show up on our property to eat the cracked corn we had scattered along our driveway while many of the agricultural fields and roadsides in our area were frozen solid. It was also warmer in February 2009 than in February 2010, possibly leading to an earlier northward migration in 2009 (and causing Red-winged Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird, and Common Grackle to use our feeders earlier than they have in 2010). The number of individuals at our feeders was higher in 2008-2009 as well, possibly the result of very cold temperatures in December 2008 and January 2009.

Mourning Dove

Citizen science projects such as this are important for several reasons. It is good to keep the general public involved in scientific research to promote higher interest in scientific work. It is also much more economically feasible for researchers to obtain important data when volunteer involvement is part of the project. There are obviously drawbacks to obtaining data from volunteers that must be addressed by the researcher. I encourage everyone to participate in citizen science research projects, such as Christmas Bird Counts, the Great Backyard Bird Count, International Migratory Bird Day, FrogWatch USA, the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, New York City Cricket Crawl, Project BudBurst, etc. No matter what your interest or location, there is likely a citizen science project for you.

Northern Cardinals (male and female) and American Tree Sparrow

2010 Winter Feeder Count Species List
Cooper's Hawk
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
European Starling
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow