Reports of Bird Numbers in Your Area or Yard

I thought maybe we could use this thread to report changes in the types or number of birds we are seeing in our area or yard compared to past years.

Birds that I am seeing much less of this year.

European Starlings
American Goldfinch
House Finch

Birds with higher numbers

Common Grackles
Blue Jay

New Birds staying around

Gray Catbird

My observations are similar

Birds that I am seeing much less of this year.

European Starlings
American Goldfinch
House Sparrows

Birds with higher numbers

Common Grackles
House Finch

Hmmm, I'm not noticing too much change in the way of the regulars.

But this year I had fewer migrants. I did not have as many Rose-breasted Grosbeaks come through as the past two years. I only saw one male and heard one male, whereas I've had 5 or so. I hardly had any white-crowned sparrows. Just a few days of maybe 2 or so.

"Birds that I am seeing much less of this year."

Starlings
Lesser Goldfinches
White-breasted Nuthatch (0 this year)
Anna's Hummingbirds (4 so far this year, usually 25-30)
Great Egret
Western Grebes
White Pelicans

"Birds with higher numbers"

White-crowned Sparrows
Ash-throated Flycatchers

The Nuthatch have been very sparse for me too.

Very similar

LESS OF

Starlings
House Finch
Blue Birds
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
Chipping Sparrows

MORE OF

Robins
Gray Catbirds
House Sparrows
House Wrens
Grackles
Blue Jays

This message was edited Jun 4, 2010 8:04 AM

This is a great thread Pelle!

Same...

A Robin family (not in the neighbor's crabapple tree...but on our porch) :D

A pair of Cardinals (but different in that they are nesting in our honeysuckle this year! I just discovered this out today. Last year they nested in our neighbor's evergreen bush)

A dozen Goldfinches

A pair of Grackles with a pair of fledglings


More...

RT Hummingbirds (this year 3 females have migrated through so far...last year we only had one male pass through in the Spring...Yay!)

3 pairs of mated Mourning Doves (last year 2 pairs)

Red Winged Blackbird (usually they just migrate through the end of March-April) but we had 3 males feed on our thistle feeders up until 2 weeks ago. We still have one as of today.

3 Cowbirds (last year they only migrated through with the RWBB's, this year we have a mated pair and a single male still looking for a mate)

5 mated pairs of House Finches with 7 fledglings!!! They have developed into their own flock...LOL Last year we had 2 mated pairs with 3 fledglings. Hmmmmm...and they can all have a 2nd brood...Yikes! hehehe

Just adding (on the record) that there was 2 female House Wrens that did check out our birdhouses...even though they didn't stay. We never even had them here to even do that before...

I lost some of my birds when I stopped the suet back in March. I have not seen Elvis (my Red-bellied WP) or the Red-breasted Nuthatch's since. Papa Downy visits now and then but have not seen any other Downy WP's. Overall I would have to say I have more bird's than last year at this time...but I didn't have feeder's up then.
I will list my (current) regular visitor's though.

Grackle's-6
Mourning Doves-5
House Finch's-one pair
House Sparrow's-8-10
White-breasted Nuthatch's-one pair with one juvenile.
Baltimore Oriole-1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird's 3, 2 are female's.
House Wren's- one pair
European Starlings-one pair with 2 juvenile's
American Robin-4-5..all their nests have been knocked out of tree's by squirrel's
Chipping Sparrow's-7or 8 when they first showed this spring there were about 15
Brown-headed Cowbird's-2 pair they are waiting for me everyday to come outside and refill the feeder...lol
Red-winged Blackbird-1-shows up like clockwork in the evening
Northern Cardinal's-2 pair
Cooper's Hawk-1 the Sharp-shinned must have migrated north.

This is my first year in my new home, but I can fairly say that there are LOTS of Eastern Bluebirds, Cardinals, and RH Woodpeckers in my neighborhood. My House Finches, Carolina Chickadees, and Carolina Wrens all produced large, successful broods in my yard. The Cardinals, Brown Thrashers, and BBs have also produced successful (but smaller) broods. I have a Goldfinch pair raising a Cowbird (it is painful to watch). The Downy and Red Bellied WPs also seem to be thriving in my yard, but I have not seen any WP offspring (and that includeds RH). I see a male and female RT Hummingbird regularly, as well as a Starling pair. I have a lone Bluejay, who showed up late this spring and likes to command the bird feeder. There are several pair of Mourning Doves, but no noticed offspring. I had a Mockingbird pair, but lost one to a predator, no offspring.

Wow, some detailed listing! I've mostly what gg have, though I couldn't tell when doves paired up. Lots of BBs, B.T. Cardinals, Brown Headed Nuthaches, White breasted Nuthatches. Carolina Wrens and offsprings. Red Bellied WP offsprings. Awaiting to see RH woodpeckers offsprings anyday now.

This is a great thread. It shows what effects our diligence in care of the environment might be on our feathered friends. My list is similar to Burd's.

I have noticed an increase in cardinals, bluebirds, and house finches, Grey catbirds.

Purple finches, Ruby-throat hummingbirds, goldfinches, doves, nuthatches, Carolina chickadees, and tufted titmouse, downy woodpeckers, red headed woodpeckers and flickers are about the same.

There is a decrease in house sparrows, robins, blue jays, starlings, and mockingbirds.

But the summer is just beginning and we get many more birds in the July-August months. I am just glad that our bluebird population seems to be growing. I have seen more blues, in the neighborhood on my walks than I have ever seen.

Increasing: Wood Pigeons, Wood Pigeons, Wood Pigeons, Wood Pigeons, Wood Pigeons, and Wood Pigeons

Resin

Info for Backyard:

I've had some newcomers this year:
White-crowned Sparrow (only saw it when I was on the way to work so no photos),
Yellow Warbler (got a few shots),
Eastern Towhee (during the snow storm)
Red-Tailed Hawk (Sat on deck for awhile during snow storm...wife didn't feel the need to wake me up - pissed)
White-breasted Nuthatch (about twice this year)

2nd year return:
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

No show this year:
Pine Siskens

Regular Suspects:
Chicadees
Titmouse
Robbins
Grackles
Cardinals
House Sparrows
House Finches
Starlings
Juncos (tons of them, especially during snow storm)
Bluejays
Downy WPs
Red-bellied WPs
Red-winged Blackbirds
Gold Finches
Carolina Wrens
Mocking bird
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Doves
Cowbirds

Info for surrounding area, parks, refuges etc.:

Seeing more:
Indigo Buntings
Blue Grosbeak
Red-eye Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
Green Heron

First time and/or minimal sightings:

Hooded Warlber (saw 2 times this year, got a couple photos)
Orchard Oriole (Adult and 1st year male)
Scarlet Tanager (only once this year, got a couple photos)
Hooded Merganser (minimal)
Common Merganser (minimal)
Egrets (minimal)
Swainson Thrush (1st time)
Winter Wren (1st time)

Regular sightings at my normal spots:

Osprey
Eagle
Great Blue Heron
Common Yellowthroat
Belted Kingfisher (still no quality shots)
Great-crested Flycatcher
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Canada Goose
Tree Swallows
Bluebirds
Mallards
Swamp Sparrows
Eastern Pheobe
Wood Thrush
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Prairie Warbler


Less sighting:
Yellow-rumped Warbler




This message was edited Jun 8, 2010 10:19 PM

3 or 4 or more years ago, I used to have 4 or more families of cardninals. I have not seen a cardninal since then. They had been coming back every year, and some stay around all year b/c of our climate. At first I thought they might be out eating berries and such. Then I thought I might be 'competing' with a neighbor that could be putting out more desirable food. As far as I can tell, none of my neighbors are doing that. I'm worried about 'my cardinals'.

I also used to have a ton of goldfinches twice a year. Now I rarely see any.

The only thing that is different in my yard is that some honeybees have made a home for themselves in a dead hackberry tree. Could the bees have chased the birds away?

Resin might be able to answer this tomorrow.

Has your weather been getting warmer over the last 5 years?

Don't think it'll be bees.

Have there been any changes in the local area that might have affected the cardinals and goldfinches? Areas of shrubs and weeds (very important for nest sites and food supply) cleared by anyone? New housing developments reducing habitat availability? Neighbours using pesticides? More cats or dogs around?

Resin

cant compare to last year as this is my 1st year feeding and im addicted!!! From what I understand though is that the pine siskins didnt come down the last few years so that is a change to our area this year! As well, the RB nuthatches were in town for a brief stay this year as well.

I have not seen a single Goldfinch this year. By this time of year I usually had a lot of them. I do have several Carolina Chickadees now (new for this year), and a increase in the big white doves with the dark ring around their necks. The house finches went missing for awhile but they are back now. Plus the regulars: sparrows, morning doves, the cardinal pair, bluejays, and the monk parrots.

I've not only noticed fewer House Finches but in fact no House finches! This includes the last 2-3 years. There was a time when the vast majority of birds at my feeders would be the House Finch. From a quick browsing in the forum it appears to be somewhat universal. Any insight out there? On the other hand there are many more Chickadees and Titmice. I also have had a traveling band of no less than 5 male Cardinals along with 'some' female partners. Although since its so much harder to see them, especially at dawn and dusk when they tend to show up, I've never been quite sure of number of females. Other than a very rare and always minor show of territorial behavior they seem to get along quite well. Sure is a beautiful thing when they all show up. And although they are not birds the squirrel population seems to be doing quite well also as always.

Hi ccharc, They must have all come to my house. I have loads of them!

I have tons of House Finches in my backyard. What I don't have and have not seen since '08 are the Pine Siskens, but they are here 'cause the bird supply store owner has them in their back yard.

This message was edited Jan 10, 2011 11:13 PM

I haven't seen any Siskin either Met.

I saw two goldfinches at the feeders yesterday. Maybe more will come.

The first visit this winter by the European Starlings. At least 10 came to eat.

I have noticed that I rarely see any goldfinches. I miss them! My thistle feeder is still full. Maybe they are still on their way....(?)
Not as many woodpeckers either.

Tons of cardinals (saw 30 yesterday in the snow! Awesome sight!) and lots of tufted titmice.

Julie, let's swap. I've quite a few goldies in my backyard, but not as many Cardinals. All joking aside, I think they're on the way. It's good to see you posting. Has the snow let up your way?

I think i'm still pretty right on my numbers for last year. I never got many siskin to begin with.

Lily_love, It has quit snowing, but it is still on the ground and the roads are still quite hazardous. No school again tomorrow.

I put out a suet feeder just before the snow came, about a week ago. I haven't seen one bird on it yet either.

Here's one of my many cardinals.

I have more Tree sparrows this year than ever They move too fast to count. I have seen only one white-crowned, a juvenile. Usually have 4 or 5. Had a sparrow (song?) that had white shoulders. Hasn't returned since the first 2 days. Pic failed

Hi salix_man, Welcome to DG and the Bird Watching forum!

I have had a major upset at my feeders from last summer, when I was not in town much. Mockingbirds became very aggressive and drove off almost all other birds. Now that things have re-stabilized, Cardinals are back, Goldfinch are back, Chippping Sparrows are prevalent, various woodpeckers are making a return. Chickadees and Carolina Wrens are so small that they are hard to drive off by the Mockingbirds. My Bluebirds are making a slow comeback as are my Red-Headed Woodpeckers. Things are beginning to return to normal.

Thats great news gazer! I've never had problems with Mockingbirds here, I must have some mellow ones. Glad everyone is coming back to your feeders.

I still have house finches here about the same, and gold finches, but seem to be down on sparrows of all things, and I don't think I have as many juncos or chickadees. Haven't seen much of anything else, and never get cardinals, although I would love to! Just don't think a lot of them travel this far west. The grosbeaks weren't here last year either, haven't seen any sign of them yet this year, so must have altered their route some.

May I ask a question please, I do not want to get off your subject matter, but I do not know where else to go to ask.
I live in NJ also, near McGuire AFB and this morning a very big flock of blackbirds invaded the bird feeders. I was wondering, do Blackbirds migrate? I am so looking for signs of Spring. I did not see any redwings and I am not sure if there are more than one kind of blackbird around here or not. Can you help me or can someone tell me where to find the answer. Thank you. Have a nice day. JB

Here, blackbirds, spend the night in the phragmites in the swamps. They congregate in trees at sun up and sundown so many it looks like leaves on the trees

Hi JBerger, They were either Grackles or Starlings and they are both around year round in NJ.

Hi Pelletory, I can tell the difference between Grackles and Starlings. These were bigger and blacker and yet I did not see any redwings. I am 90% sure they were blackbirds. Or, maybe I am just hoping to heck they are because it would be a sign of Spring. Thanks anyhow. Now I am depressed for sure.

Well if it's larger it couldn't be a Rusty Blackbird because their smaller than the Common Grackle. Next biggest would be Boat-tailed Grackle (16").
After that we start thinking it's Crows. :-)

No, Crows I can tell .....I am sorry. I just so wanted it to be a blackbird. Thanks anyhow.