skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Anyone taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count?

16 years ago

I was researching it online in the hopes of doing up some sheets for our kids at playschool for next weekend and I found out it is THIS weekend :( Kind of disapointed that I missed it for the kids....but wondered if any of you are taking part?

Here is a link for anyone that may be interested;

http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/whycount.html

There is still time to take part for this year :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

alisande
16 years ago
We used to participate in the Christmas Bird Count, but I never heard of this one. I'll have to check it out.
0
IndianaKat
16 years ago
Yep.....we are. Got some really good numbers yesterday....not so great on Friday. Common Grackle numbers have been steadily declining(perhaps West Nile has much to do with this) for quite some time but I was happy to count nearly 75 of them in a mixed flock (along with Red winged blackbirds, Cowbirds,etc.)as they stopped by to feed and were here on and off the better part of the day. Glad to see these flocks traveling for it means spring is just around the corner (I hope!!!) Hope for good numbers today but we're getting some rain and its going to be difficult to get an accurate count.....sorry you missed it for the kids....maybe next time....

~Kathy~
0
Related Discussions
Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend!
Q
Comments (27)
Wow! I've seen them flock but not in those numbers! They gather in an empty lot next to where I work and we watch their aerial stunts, it's like they play follow the leader but the leader changes every few moments. What's interesting is that two of our most invasive alien species of birds (european starlings and house sparrows) are both considered endangered in Britain. Makes you wonder if they don't get to the point where the species has outgrown it's natural boundaries and begins to decline. I know I would gladly ship all my starlings over there! We have another winter storm moving through tonight and the birds seemed to know as they were all very actively feeding at dusk. Typically the last birds that I see in the evening are cardinals and tonight when I looked out I counted 43! That was just at the back feeders so I'm sure that count is low. I tried to get a picture of as many as possible but the best I could do was 17. Taken through the window with flash so not my best but you get the idea ... Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17-20, 2012
Q
Comments (8)
Oh, lisa11310, that's exasperating! I had my usual feeder birds plus turkeys, with a surprise appearance of two Common Grackles and a Northern Mockingbird on Friday. They must have been migrating through because I haven't seen them since. I submitted those feeder counts but also made a few forays to local watery spots to see what was around. This is the fifth year in a row I've reported Green-winged Teal in the Ellisville Harbor State Park. It's near the upper limit of their winter range and I've learned where and when to find them slurping mud on the mudflats. Eighteen teal this year. My other main project was seeing if I could find a large flock of Common Eiders that might be floating with the current on the Cape Cod Canal. On my second stop along the Canal (at the Rail Road Bridge) I found a few Common Eiders, Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Loons. Common Eiders Red-breasted Merganser Common Loon I hit the jackpot on my third stop at the Mass Maritime Academy where there were around 250 Common Eiders floating around. There may have been a few other species of birds in there but I didn't see any. I couldn't really photograph the scene but I tried. Believe me, there were a lot of Common Eiders there - maybe that's why they're named "common". Today is my usual Project FeederWatch count so I'll submit those counts to GBBC too. I'm still hoping for the first Red-winged Blackbirds to arrive, but time is running out. Claire
...See More
Great Backyard Bird Count - 2015
Q
Comments (36)
Misty, if you've never seen it, check out the PBS video, A Murder of Crows. It's about the intelligence of blackbirds, and it's pretty amazing! I've seen it on TV a couple times. http://video.pbs.org/video/1621910826/ I’m not a big fan of blackbirds! It’s not because I don’t like them “as birds,” it’s because they EAT all the seed I put out for the “little birds,” and I can’t afford to feed the BIG birds! I’ve developed a Blackbird Dispersal System so I can scare them away without hurting them, but they are VERY smart, and they keep coming back several times each time they show up—until they realize that the “scarer” is going to “appear” every time they come—and then they—all of them, at the feeders AND in the trees—go away and usually don’t come back for a day or two—to try again! There have been some VERY cool “animal” shows on PBS lately! The “animal homes” series that’s on right now is amazing! Also linked on that page. And if you click “see all” there are many more possibilities, including Leave it to Beavers, which was just on (TV) last week, and it’s absolutely incredible to see in such detail “what they do” and HOW they do it—and how good, and necessary, they are for the environment! If you have time, I highly recommend it! (Full episodes of “animal homes” are available on the “see all” page!) Easy enough to link things now, so here IS the “see all” page!!! http://video.pbs.org/program/nature/episodes/ Gotta go! P.S. Zach, I never managed to get back here to post, but I LOVE all the pics you posted. Thanks for posting them. I didn’t have a “very successful” bird count this year! Very few birds, and not much besides the normal “regulars” I have. Definitely no “murder” of robins this year! Misty I love your “icicle bluebird pic!” Feel very sorry for the bluebird—but love the pic! P.P.S. Since I already have WebAlbums up, here’s a pic (not very close up!) of a Golden Eagle on the Ute Mountain Tribal Park last spring! This is the only Golden I’ve ever seen! https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lKmHq6gaCDC_S3BtFXaMIQPPcO__tq0XI6jlKd1A8Lg?feat=directlink
...See More
Great Backyard Bird Count – February 12-15, 2016
Q
Comments (5)
So a couple of weeks ago, I move my ceramic hanging bird with bird nest to another hook on my front porch. When I did, I though "I wonder if a real bird would ever use this to make it's nest". Then yesterday, I noticed that indeed a bird had thought of that! I could see bits of the real nest poking out over the top of the fake nest!! I haven't see a bird inside of it yet, so don't know whether it abandoned the idea or will be back. It's not the most quiet spot as it's right by the front door. I thought I'd move the hook so it's a little farther into the corner so if mama bird does lay her eggs there, she won't be as disturbed. But how cute that my passing thought turned out to come true :) Marj
...See More
summer_tx
16 years ago
Speaking of a backyard bird count. I have a large window over my vanity in the master bath. Outside that window I have a bird feeder and bird bath. I was quietly putting on makeup Friday and looked up occasionally to watch the birds come and go around the feeder. I was stunned to see such a variety of Thrashers, Inca Dove, Collard Dove, Sparrows, Meadow Lark, and Bluejays. It was a veritable aviary in the backyard. I loved it.
0
User
16 years ago
So glad you reminded me taigen. We are in southern Ontario and have seen both the white and red-breasted nuthatch a lot, and the downy woodpeckers.
Going to do my count today.
0
sooey
16 years ago
Yes, I am. This is my first season for this count and I think it's a lot of fun. I try to watch for chunks of time, like at least 30 minutes, several times a day. I did not count on Friday...I forgot.

This season I have also been counting for Project Feeder Watch which is run by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It's a lot of fun and has gotten me to pay more detailed attention to the birds. PFW starts the second Saturday in November and runs until April 4th.

Two weeks ago I counted for Mass Audubon but did not get many birds at all. Some days are so busy that I can hardly keep up. Other days are slow with few birds. I watched one Saturday afternoon for over an hour and had only one bird during that entire time...isn't that strange?

sooey
0
Linda Wayman
16 years ago
I usually do, but have not done so this time because on Friday I moved some feeders and nesting boxes around and must have scared away everything but the pigeons.

Linda
0
caflowerluver
16 years ago
Never heard of it. I will have to check it out. I have been noticing a lot of robins lately. There were 6 or more just hanging out together out front. I didn't know they traveled in flocks.
Clare
0
IndianaKat
16 years ago
Clare, during the fall and winter months lots of birds that don't ordinarily flock together come together to migrate and "food search" in numbers. As soon as spring arrives they start parting ways to find a mate and nest. Last March we had these guys stop by for lots of water....it was a sight to behold.....

~Kathy~
0
taigen_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh what great pictures!!
I think I cursed myself by starting this thread....I've been looking and looking but not one bird has come, only snow! Another storm passing through today and tomorrow. Oh well, glad some of you are able to enjoy seeing the birds.
0
User
16 years ago
Oh Kathy, you made my day, showing me Robins!
Great pictures!

I don't want to go off topic, but want to remind everyone, to put grapes on the lawn for those early returning robins until worms come up for them to eat.
0

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Northern Cardinals in the Snow, and Other Red Birds

By Habitat Network

Brilliant crimson feathers make these friends stand out in a crowd

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Orioles Return After Spending Winter in the Tropics

By Habitat Network

These colorful songbirds prefer woodlands and forest edges, but they’ll visit yards with fruit-producing trees and shrubs

LAUNDRY ROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Laundry Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make fluffing and folding more enjoyable by borrowing these ideas from beautifully designed laundry rooms

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Invite Entertaining Hummingbirds Into Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Hummingbirds — unique to the Americas — zip through open landscapes seasonally or year-round. Here’s how to attract them

GARDENING GUIDES 13 North American Backyard Birds to Know

By Annie Thornton

Find out about these enchanting native species and learn how to attract them to your yard

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Kitchen Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your kitchen up a notch even if it will never reach top-of-the-line, with these cheap and easy decorating ideas

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Take a Summer Vacation in the Backyard

By Mike Dietrich

From Airstreams to tepees, backyard camping provides all the comforts of home with a touch of rustic

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Black Cherry Trees for the Birds and Bees

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Prunus serotina in the Central and Eastern U.S. for spring flowers, interesting bark and beautiful fall color

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Marvel at Chickadees This Winter

By Habitat Network

These North American natives flock to bird feeders and entertain with their complex birdcalls

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Go Owling in October

By Habitat Network

These stealthy nocturnal hunters fill North American skies with their quiet wings and distinct calls

Sponsored

Interior Style by Marisa Moore

58 Reviews

Northern Virginia Interior Designer - Best of Houzz 2013-2020!

More Discussions

What Are You Reading? January 2025 Edition

52

Face glops........

19

What's for dinner?

50

Floof: What are you watching?

18

I'll show you mine/you show me yours - W 1/15/25

16