Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. FeederWatchers periodically count the highest numbers of each species they see at their feeders from November through early April. FeederWatch helps scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.
Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada.
This season will be my 4th [correction -- 5th] and it starts November 8th. I put up the feeders after I moved here hoping that the birds would find them and start flocking around them on a regular basis. But if last weekend is any indication, bird activity will be sparse. My count would have been:
House Sparrow - 3
House Finch - 2
These aren't difficult birds to attract to a feeder. Where are the Downy Woodpeckers that stopped by briefly a couple of weeks ago? The Northern Cardinals that were the first visitors? Nope, HOSPs and HOFIs.
This poor fellow is suffering from conjunctivitis, and respiratory disease that is common in House Finches. It causes the eyes to become inflamed and a crust to form on them; making it difficult to see, forage, and avoid predators. He comes around several times a day for the easy pickings.
The poor eyesight also makes it difficult for him to even find the feeder. He'll make several passes at it before he finds the platform.
The only other interesting visitor over the weekend was this praying mantis that found something good (to him) to eat.
1 comment:
Nice to see you blogging Amy. I am trying to remember, but I think this is my third year as I got sick the first year. I don't have more than one house finch and too many HOSP. I would guess that you will get more when the weather gets colder. Love the mantis...
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