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| Make sure you count everyone down there! |
Last weekend was the backyard bird count. I have been an avid participant every year since we built our cabin (2002). There is always some strange event that happens. One year I had 50 Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finches. Another year 1 Hoary Redpoll which is rare and I was questioned. Last year a red-tailed hawk nabbed one of my birds. That led to a bit of a question do you count the eaten bird or not? If I remember correctly I counted him. This year it wasn't anything so dramatic, but still I have to wonder. I had two common redpolls stop by only for the count. Never saw them prior and haven't seen them since. Guess they just wanted to stand up and be counted.
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| A disgruntled looking redpoll. |
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| A hungry common redpoll. |
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| A handsome Goldfinch. |
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| Full feeders. |
Final tally:
1 Blue Jay
6 Goldfinches
4 Red Breasted Nuthatches
1 White Breasted Nuthatch
6 Chickadees
6 Juncos
2 Female Downy Woodpeckers
1 Male Hairy Woodpecker
4 Pine Siskins
2 Common Redpolls
2 Crows
I hope everyone enjoyed the bird count as much as I do.
Never heard of Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch is this a US bird? The bird caught by the hawk, if it was alive when you first saw it, it gets counted.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to participate in the bird count, but have never taken the plunge. Looks like you had a nice assortment come visiting! I'm not familiar with the Redpolls, don't think we have anything like that here.
ReplyDeleteI've done the count for the past 4 years and it is fun. We had few visitors this year, it was pretty rainy the whole time. We did have a Bald Eagle fly over so that was fun. I'd never heard of a Redpoll before.
ReplyDeleteI had a Red-headed Woodpecker going after its lunch in a rotted tree--it's the first time I've ever seen one and it was pretty amazing. Wish I had more time to watch birds like my Dad did--one day! XPXP
ReplyDeleteI'm not an avid birdwatcher, but I do think they're beautiful! I enjoy seeing them come to the feeders on my parents' deck when we visit.
ReplyDeleteIs this something within your county? Sounds very interesting! How wonderful for you to have all those birds visiting!! We've got to get our feeders going again!
ReplyDeleteI wondered if this was another from Cornell, I have done their December count.A nice variety to enjoy each day.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing and reading your bird count!
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