Are Birds Declining?
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I just had someone ask me if the GBBC is showing a decline in birds this year, since last year we had over 11 million individual birds reported, and this year we're at less than 10 million. I haven't done any real analysis of the bird sightings yet, but don't think we should be worrying too much.
Here's why.
Last year there was a huge flock of American Robins in west Florida, and over 2.5 million robins were counted there (the same flock counted a couple times). This year we have just over 500,000 robins reported across the whole continent. So the overall count last year was influenced by this huge flock of robins. This year, there weren't any huge flocks of robins reported on the count. That doesn't mean that robin numbers were down. Maybe there weren't any huge flocks anywhere, and birds were scattered where they are harder to count. Or maybe there was a big flock somewhere that nobody counted. Its hard to know.
So the short of the story is, that the overall number of birds counted is not a good indicator of how many birds may or may not be out there. Its more an indicator of how many people are counting. Or in the case of the robins, an indicator that sometimes there are just spectacular things going on out there!
Re: Rob Fergus's "Are Birds Declining?"
Rob, I appreciate and enjoy sensible "big picture" comments like the ones you shared. This is something many of us wonder about, so thanks for addressing it. Keep up the good work!
Judy Phillips / Chatham, Il.
bird count
In the week before the GBBC I & My sister were at McGinnis Park in Carrollton TX to check out birds. We were amazed to see a flock of robins in a tree & on the ground below it. We thought there wer maybe 100 birds there-- & robins are usually scarce in our area. We thought they were migrating, went back the next day & they were still around, a week later we saw none. At that same time we saw a good size flock of waxwings in the same area- And they too disappeared. It was very excitng to me. Betty Franzen bmfranzen @ verizon.neti
robin numbers 2007
In Northern Kentucky, we fledged 2-3 young in April. Then a summer drought where fewer and fewer birds were seen. Even berries in woods were scarce due to freak late freeze. Now birds seem to be coming back. Lets hope for better weather!
cattle egrets
you should come to Royse City, Texas 75189, there are so many of these birds in the area seen from I-30 especially in the area of Royse City and Caddo Mills ( next town ) we are very glad that they have decided to visit and stay!! Thank you Ramon
No loss of birds this year
I live in Beaufort N.C.( Carteret County) we are on the coast. I have lived in my home 23 yrs. I have never had the numbers of birds in my yard as this year!!! Last year I never saw a yellow finch( which I have always had) This year it is crazy!!! I have a finch feeder that is 3 ft. long & 18 perches. They eat all in 1 day!!!!! I have also seen a larger than normal # of all the other birds. I have 50 bird feeders! My yard has been certified as a National Wildfile Habait.
Bird Numbers down
In Ontario we just completed a 7 day warm up with constant rain that ended the day before the start of GBBC. The melt took down 2 to 3 feet of snow and the heat has caused the trees to begin budding. I wondered why my feeder numbers were down until I saw chickadees eating on the budding pussy willow trees. Pine siskens too are into the bushes,I can hear them singing, so now I have a dozen a day at the feeders where previously 3 dozen. And two weeks ago crossbills in droves, now gone. It's weather. The pleasue of pre-Spring is listening to the return of song.
Analysis of bird count
While it is probably true that the bird count may not necessarily indicate how many birds are out there, but rather, how many people are counting, my question is (this being my first time paticipating), will there be an analysis (after March 1) of the bird count online (declines, increases, etc.)?
Great blog
Hi, I like your blog. I volunteer for a conservation group and we do field studies as well.
Stephanie http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/