Dan’s Almost Daily Journal-Some Awesome Photos From Project Feeder Watch at the Halfway Point
Volume 52 - There's Still Time to Join This Fun Bird Count Project
Welcome back. It’s been a while since my last article in my journal. In the meantime, as many of you know, I’ve been writing articles about cross-country skiing and gardening. Also, I have started a new publication regarding weather:
I would appreciate you reading my weather-related articles and am looking for writers to join my publication, Weather Watchers Central. Of course, I always welcome writers to Gardening, Birding, and Outdoor Adventure as well.
Project FeederWatch Update
As I mentioned above, this great citizen science project is nearly at the midpoint of the 2022–2023 season. It started in November and runs through the end of April. There is still time to participate in this awesome project. To join, visit this link.
So far this season, I have observed 20 species at or near my feeders during the count days. I hope to observe some more before the end of April. I have observed a few additional species that I thought were quite special, however, it wasn’t on a count day for either, so I can’t report them officially. I will identify them in my next article. You have to choose two consecutive count days that are east 5 days apart. I normally count every Saturday and Sunday. I will enter those 2 other species on eBird, however. You can enter observations on eBird anytime at any location.
Following is a list of species I have observed thus far this season:
- American Goldfinch
- American Robin
- American Tree Sparrow
- Black-Capped Chickadee
- Blue Jay
- Brown-Headed Cowbird
- Dark-Eyed Junco
- Downy Woodpecker
- Eastern Bluebird
- European Starling
- Hairy Woodpecker
- House Finch
- House Sparrow
- Mourning Dove
- Northern Cardinal Red
- Red-Winged Blackbird
- Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
- Tufted Titmouse
- White-Breasted Nuthatch
- White-Throated Sparrow
Most of the above species are typical here in Central NY State during the winter months. except for the Eastern Bluebird and the American Robin. The bluebird, however, was spotted in November before any really cold weather arrived. The Robin was spotted just last weekend, but the weather was unusually mild. However, the Eastern Bluebird and American Robin supposedly are present in Central NY all year round. Based on my experience, I rarely see them during the winter.
These types of observations are good examples of the importance of the Project FeederWatch data.
Stay tuned for my next article in which I will reveal the 2 additional awesome species I observed. I will keep you guessing.
