Citizen Science: Project FeederWatch -- Count #05 Report w/Original Photos
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.
I typically watch birds on Saturday and Sunday. This is my report for 10-11 December 2016.
Created Using MS PowerPoint and Images from Project FeederWatch
December 2016
The 2016-2017 season goes through 7 April 2017.
Bird Watching Notes
Before the Two-Day Count Period
Friday, 9 December 2016, started with a magnificent sunrise.
Original Photo
The full sunrise photo sequence can be found here.
Gathering of Crows
A little later Friday morning a group of American Crows gathered around my bird feeder area. The crows were eating peanuts that had fallen on the ground. Many birds like peanuts.
Original Photo
Saturday
American Crow
The American Crow is common to many parts of the United States. This is the first time that I can remember observing this many at my count site. During the two-day count period I observed as many as seven American Crows around my feeder area.
In previous years their numbers were down across the United States due to the West Nile virus. It is good to see the population recovering in my part of eastern Nebraska.
Studying the environmental impacts (like West Nile virus) on bird populations is just one of the many contributions this citizen science project contributes to the scientific community.
Original Photo
Image Source
Sunday
Sunday was a dreary day. Did not have any picture taking opportunities.
A large flock of about 30 sparrows swarmed my feeders.
After the sparrows left a large flock of European Starlings flocked around my feeders too.
Observing these two flocks increased my count of total individuals observed in a two-day period.
Bird Counts
Counts for Current Period
My bird counts for the two-day period 3-4 December 2016.
Snapshot from Project FeederWatch Bird Count Summary
Summary of Counts this Season
Snapshot from Project FeederWatch Bird Count Summary
Previous Project FeederWatch Post
Citizen Science: Project FeederWatch -- Count #04
Use of Original Photos
I used the SteemIt icon in my photo credit to indicate these photographs were originally posted on SteemIt.
The photographs in this post are free to be used by anyone as long as the photo credit is left on the photographs.
detailed in to pinpont , voted @etcmike "Bird Counts Summary"
As you have seen in previous posts, I do feed a population of squirrels too. There were three very fat squirrels at my feeders this weekend too. They love peanuts and when the peanuts are gone they go after the black oil sunflower seeds.
I refilled the peanut feeder three times this past weekend. Mainly due to the squirrels but the European Starlings were feasting on the peanuts too. And then their is the night predator too which I suspect is a raccoon but have not been able to catch a glimpse of yet.
This weekend will be cold and maybe snowy. I am sure there will be lots of activity at my feeders this weekend too. That will be in next week's report :-)
Steem on,
Mike