GSBAS Feeder Survey: Fall 2021

GSBAS Feeder Survey: Fall 2021

By the time you read this, winter will have begun and I’m sure the birds, squirrels and other wildlife will have started to feast on the fruit and berries in my yard. I know from the past that crabapples are the number one favorite and I’m curious to see what the runners up will be. Two of my viburnums have clusters of red berries and I have seen birds and squirrels nibbling on the luscious looking red fruits of the Kousa dogwood. An old pear tree in the back hosts woodpeckers, and the fallen fruit attracts bees. We have not used weed killers or insecticides or any other type of toxic material on our property for over 50 years, after noticing too late that putting weed killer down caused the Fowlers toads to disappear and sadly, I’ve rarely seen them in our yard since. I’m happy to say we had a small colony of Dekay’s brown snakes taking up residence for a few years (they love to eat slugs!!) and an occasional Fence lizard. Reptiles and amphibians are supposedly very sensitive to herbicides and insecticides. I would rather have the toads and the weeds! If we poison our environment what is that doing to ourselves and our families?

It is now ok to feed the birds. We did not have any of the Mysterious Bird Disease in New York! Just a reminder that the feeder survey runs from November to March

How Does the Survey work?

1)The counting period is 5 months from November to March, you are welcome to join the survey at any time.

2) During the first 15 days of each month, view your feeders, count the number of each individual bird species you observe, report the largest number of each individual species seen at any one time, example, if you see 10 Cardinals on the 1st, 5 on the 8th, and 3 on the 10th only report the largest amount seen, (10 Cardinals).The birds may actually be at your feeder or attracted to your yard by feeding activity.

3) Using the form provided, use 1 form per month to record the largest number of individual species seen. Add any extra species to the list.

4) No later of the 19th of each survey month, mail your completed form or list to Helga Merryman, 38 S. Carll Ave., Babylon, N.Y., 11702. You can also send your sightings and photos to me at eider55owl@optonline.net, please put FEEDER SURVEY in the subject line. I will compile the information and the results will be published in the following issue of the Sandpiper.

Red-tailed Hawk _

Sharp-shinned Hawk _ 

Cooper’s hawk _ 

Rock pigeon _

Mourning Dove _

Monk Parakeet _ 

Red-bellied Woodpecker _

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker _

Downy Woodpecker _

Hairy Woodpecker _

Northern Flicker _

Blue Jay _ 

American Crow _

Black-capped Chickadee _

Tufted Titmouse _ 

Red-breasted Nuthatch _ 

White-breasted Nuthatch _

Carolina Wren _

American Robin _

Northern Mockingbird _

Brown Thrasher_

European Starling _ 

Towhee _ 

Fox Sparrow _ 

Song Sparrow 

White-throated Sparrow _ 

Dark-eyed Junco _ 

Northern Cardinal _

Red-winged Blackbird _

Common Grackle_ 

Brown-headed Cowbird _

House Finch _

American Goldfinch _

House Sparrow _ 

OTHER SPECIES