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The following chart is my personal bird count summary for the 2008-2009 Project FeederWatch count season. It is a bit difficult to read because I had to condense the information and present it as a jpg image.
| Weather and Effort: April 1 and 2, 2009 | |
|---|---|
| When did you watch your feeders? | Day 1: morning afternoon Day 2: morning afternoon |
| Estimated cumulative time: | 1 to 4 hours |
| Daylight temperature: | 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) low Over 20° C (over 68° F) high |
| Daylight precipitation: | None |
| Total depth of ice/snow cover: | None |
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
| Cooper’s Hawk | 1 |
| Mourning Dove | 2 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 3 |
| Western Scrub-Jay | 3 |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee | 1 |
| Oak Titmouse | 1 |
| Spotted Towhee | 1 |
| California Towhee | 2 |
| Fox Sparrow | 1 |
| White-crowned Sparrow | 7 |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow | 3 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 2 |
| House Finch | 8 (0 with eye disease) |
| American Goldfinch | 1 (0 with eye disease) |
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!
| Weather and Effort: March 25 and 26, 2009 | |
|---|---|
| When did you watch your feeders? | Day 1: morning afternoon Day 2: morning afternoon |
| Estimated cumulative time: | 1 to 4 hours |
| Daylight temperature: | 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) low 11 to 20° C (51 to 68° F) high |
| Daylight precipitation: | None |
| Total depth of ice/snow cover: | None |
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
| Mourning Dove | 1 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 4 |
| Steller’s Jay | 1 |
| Western Scrub-Jay | 3 |
| American Crow | 1 |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee | 1 |
| Oak Titmouse | 1 |
| California Towhee | 2 |
| Fox Sparrow | 1 |
| White-crowned Sparrow | 9 |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow | 3 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 3 |
| House Finch | 4 (0 with eye disease) |
| American Goldfinch | 2 (0 with eye disease) |
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!
From Project FeederWatch – Cornell University
Salmonella outbreaks come with the season
Along with warmer temperatures, spring brings conditions that are conducive to the growth of bacteria around your bird feeders. Some species, particularly the finches, can be highly susceptible to salmonellosis, caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Salmonella. This disease is a common cause of mortality in feeder birds, but the symptoms are not always obvious. Sick birds may appear thin and fluffed up. They are often lethargic and easy to approach. Some infected birds may show no outward symptoms but are carriers of the disease and can spread the infection to other birds.
Salmonella has received considerable attention lately due to the contamination of human food supplies, particularly peanut butter products. Some pet and bird foods have also been recalled due to potential contamination. Recalled products should be returned to the store or disposed of properly. Contaminated foods, however, are likely not the cause of most salmonellosis in birds. Salmonella bacteria normally circulate in populations of wild birds. The bacteria are primarily transmitted among birds through fecal contamination of food and water.
Outbreaks of the disease can occasionally cause significant mortality in some species like Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. Given the large numbers of Pine Siskins that moved into the southeastern United States this past winter, we can expect to see the widespread outbreaks of salmonellosis that typically accompany siskin movements.
Create a safe bird-feeding environment
If you notice a sick bird at your feeders or bird bath, minimize the risk of infecting other birds by cleaning your feeder area thoroughly. If you see several diseased birds, take down all of your feeders for at least a week to give the birds a chance to disperse. Salmonella strains found in birds can be dangerous to humans, so do not handle any sick or dead birds, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling feeders. With proper care and attention, you can maintain a safe bird-feeding environment in your yard.
More information about salmonellosis can be found at the National Wildlife Health Center.
For more information on other diseases affecting wild birds, visit the National Wildlife Health Center or the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre.
| Weather and Effort: March 18 and 19, 2009 | |
|---|---|
| When did you watch your feeders? | Day 1: morning afternoon Day 2: morning afternoon |
| Estimated cumulative time: | 1 to 4 hours |
| Daylight temperature: | 11 to 20° C (51 to 68° F) low Over 20° C (over 68° F) high |
| Daylight precipitation: | None |
| Total depth of ice/snow cover: | None |
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
| Mourning Dove | 2 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 2 |
| Steller’s Jay | 1 |
| Western Scrub-Jay | 4 |
| American Crow | 2 |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee | 1 |
| Oak Titmouse | 2 |
| California Towhee | 1 |
| Fox Sparrow | 1 |
| White-crowned Sparrow | 5 |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow | 3 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 6 |
| House Finch | 11 (3 with eye disease) |
| American Goldfinch | 1 (0 with eye disease) |
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!
| Weather and Effort: March 11 and 12, 2009 | |
|---|---|
| When did you watch your feeders? | Day 1: morning afternoon Day 2: morning afternoon |
| Estimated cumulative time: | 1 to 4 hours |
| Daylight temperature: | 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) low 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) high |
| Daylight precipitation: | None |
| Total depth of ice/snow cover: | None |
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
| Band-tailed Pigeon | 3 |
| Mourning Dove | 6 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 3 |
| Steller’s Jay | 2 |
| Western Scrub-Jay | 2 |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee | 2 |
| Oak Titmouse | 2 |
| Spotted Towhee | 1 |
| California Towhee | 1 |
| White-crowned Sparrow | 3 |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow | 3 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 4 |
| House Finch | 9 (0 with eye disease) |
| American Goldfinch | 2 (0 with eye disease) |
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!
Weather and Effort: March 4 and 5, 2009
When did you watch your feeders?
Day 1: morning
Day 2: morning afternoon
Estimated cumulative time: 1 to 4 hours
Daylight temperature: 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) low
1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) high
Daylight precipitation: Rain 1 to 3 hours
Total depth of ice/snow cover: None
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
Mourning Dove 3
Anna’s Hummingbird 1
Steller’s Jay 3
Western Scrub-Jay 3
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1
Oak Titmouse 2
Spotted Towhee 1
California Towhee 2
White-crowned Sparrow 5
Golden-crowned Sparrow 8
Dark-eyed Junco 5
House Finch 11 (0 with eye disease)
American Goldfinch 2 (0 with eye disease)
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!
| Weather and Effort: February 25 and 26, 2009 | |
|---|---|
| When did you watch your feeders? | Day 1: morning afternoon Day 2: morning afternoon |
| Estimated cumulative time: | 1 to 4 hours |
| Daylight temperature: | 11 to 20° C (51 to 68° F) low 11 to 20° C (51 to 68° F) high |
| Daylight precipitation: | None – - |
| Total depth of ice/snow cover: | None |
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
| Mourning Dove | 3 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 2 |
| Steller’s Jay | 3 |
| Western Scrub-Jay | 5 |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee | 2 |
| Oak Titmouse | 1 |
| California Towhee | 1 |
| White-crowned Sparrow | 7 |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow | 3 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 5 |
| House Finch | 12 (1 with eye disease) |
| American Goldfinch | 1 (0 with eye disease) |
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!
| Weather and Effort: February 18 and 19, 2009 | |
|---|---|
| When did you watch your feeders? | Day 1: morning afternoon Day 2: morning afternoon |
| Estimated cumulative time: | 1 to 4 hours |
| Daylight temperature: | 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) low 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) high |
| Daylight precipitation: | None – - |
| Total depth of ice/snow cover: | None |
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
| Mourning Dove | 2 |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 2 |
| Northern Flicker | 1 |
| Steller’s Jay | 1 |
| Western Scrub-Jay | 5 |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee | 2 |
| Oak Titmouse | 1 |
| American Robin | 2 |
| California Towhee | 1 |
| White-crowned Sparrow | 4 |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow | 1 |
| Dark-eyed Junco | 3 |
| House Finch | 6 (0 with eye disease) |
| Lesser Goldfinch | 2 |
| American Goldfinch | 2 (0 with eye disease) |
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds in your own backyard!
Weather and Effort: February 11 and 12, 2009
When did you watch your feeders?
Day 1: morning afternoon
Day 2: morning afternoon
Estimated cumulative time: 1 to 4 hours
Daylight temperature: 1 to 10° C (33 to 50° F) low
11 to 20° C (51 to 68° F) high
Daylight precipitation: Rain 3 to 6 hours
Total depth of ice/snow cover: None
Checklist for FeederWatch California Region Birds
Mourning Dove 4
Anna’s Hummingbird 2
Northern Flicker 1
Steller’s Jay 4
Western Scrub-Jay 6
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2
Oak Titmouse 1
California Towhee 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Golden-crowned Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 6
House Finch 7 (0 with eye disease)
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 2 (0 with eye disease)
Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!
