The results of the bird count reports from citizens during the 2016-2017 season are being analyzed by Cornell University researchers. This post highlights one of the initial findings from the Project FeederWatch data and why Citizen Science makes a difference to researchers and conservation.

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Fewer Feeder Sites Reporting Common Grackles and Other Blackbirds in Central Region

In my area of eastern Nebraska I regard Common Grackles as warm weather birds. Common Grackles usually leave my area before the cold weather arrives and return in the spring. For the 2016-2017 FeederWatch season I did not report sightings of Common Grackles until March 2017.

Common Grackle

I took this photo of a Common Grackle at my feeder site on 1 April 2017. My full report can be found here.

Original Photo

Common Grackle's Seasonal Range

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If you would like to hear the songs and calls of a Common Grackle click here to go to the All About Birds website.

Central Region's Decline in Common Grackle Reports

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Project FeederWatch data and data from other bird counting projects show a decades long decline in the reports of Common Grackles. Although Common Grackles are considered a relatively common species the detection of long-term changes in the population illustrates the importance of Citizen Science reports from programs like Project FeederWatch.

Declines have also been noted in the reports for other black-birds like Rusty Black-birds and Brewer's Black-birds.

Source and Full Article

2016-2017 Project FeederWatch: End-of-Season News Note, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Previous Project FeederWatch Post

Citizen Science: Project FeederWatch -- Count #21

Citizen science is a great way to involve children and adults in discovery and contribute to scientific research and conservation. Project FeederWatch through Cornell University is a great way to get involved in citizen science. You can learn more at the Project FeederWatch website.

The next season for Project FeederWatch starts 11 November 2017 and runs for 21 weeks.

Use of Original Photos

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