The Great Backyard Bird Count

[Woodlandgal]

Is anybody here taking part in the GBBC? This is my first year. Most of the birds left from around the feeders when the warmer weather came and most of the snow melted.

This morning I watched for an hour and thought I was going to have to count squirrels! But then the finches came back although not as many as previously, but I did end up with 10 different varieties of birds in my backyard.

Anyone else have few birds or alot of birds? Pat

[Jean Pell]

Hi Pat,

Yes, I am participating for the first time also. We are experiencing warmer weather also...so I have fewer American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins but still I counted 17/6 today. It wasn't easy counting them. The only birds that have moved on since the warm-up were the Ruby-Crowned Kinglets.

This Brown Thrasher kept flying straight up from the ground and taking bites out the lard/mix cakes in the suet feeder hanging at my window. This was hilarious.

I'm glad you didn't have to count squirrels. It's wonderful that you have 10 different varieties of birds. I only had 2 more than you.

I would be very interested to read about others experience on the great topic.

Jean
NW GA

[Woodlandgal]

Now that the GBBC is over, I ended up with 12 species. There are several other species that have been here off and on in the past, but not during the count. I wanted to count the Pileated Woodpecker, but he never showed up until today and then I just saw him flying away.
I did have one unexpected visitor - the Great Horned Owl, that I hadn't seen or heard in a year.
Overall, it was fun. I was able to separate the 'finches' on the ground and discovered I also had Redpolls. :) Pat

[Jean Pell]

Hi Pat,

Wow, having a Great Horned Owl and Redpolls visit your place (I am assuming that's where you did your count) are birds that I only dream of seeing here. Sorry that the Pileated Woodpecker showed up a day late.

I've seen a Great Horned Owl and a Pileated Woodpecker but that was when I lived on the other side of the county. The trees were older. Never have I seen a Redpoll. Guess I have to take a trip up North in order to add it to my Life List.:)

12 varieties of birds is really rather good, considering that you have mentioned that you don't have that many birds...on another thread.

I also enjoyed participating in the count. I ended up with 17 varieties of birds. Nothing really new but did have 2 Chipping Sparrows hanging out at my new brush pile that took me a while to I.D.

I would love to hear from others about their "Great Backyard Bird Count" experience.

Later and Happy Birding to All,

Jean
NW GA

[glyndac]

Hey Jean and Pat,
The most I saw was 21 species. Didn't see some of the ones I had in past years like dark-eyed juncos or white-throated sparrows, but did see a few new ones for the count (not new to my area though). A Belted Kingfisher was using the pond the last 2 days. I got to watch him catch a small fish. I also saw 30 crows chasing 3 buzzards. Well I gotta run.

Jean, whew this looks like a big job. Hope you still get time for B&B.

glynda

[Jean Pell]

Hi Glynda,

I want to welcome you to the Birds of a Feather Conference!

21 species sounds like a great count to me. How many years have you participated in the GBBC and what is the most species you have counted in the past?

Sorry you were missing a couple of birds. The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet was MIA during the count here. Wouldn't you know it he showed back up today. It has turned cold again.

I haven't seen a Belted Kingfisher in years. I remember that it was so interesting to watch him dive for fish. Crows chasing Buzzards....never seen that happen.:)

Thanks for your reply and hope to see you again here... and don't worry...I will pop in on the B&B boards from time to time.

Jean
Taylorsville,GA
NW of Atlanta....In the Sticks:)