Mass Audubon's Focus on Feeders: Feb. 5th and 6th, 2011

Just a rather quick message here in regards to a citizen-science project that I had participated in last winter before I was fully aware of Cornell's Project FeederWatch. Mass Audubon has been running their Focus on Feeders project for over the last 40 years, having citizen-scientists collect data on birds observed at their feeders one weekend every winter over the aforementioned time-frame and send them in to Mass Audubon for their research. Here is a copied image of the initial email that was sent to me a few weeks ago in regards to Focus on Feeders:

View this email in a web browser Mass Audubon’s 2011 Focus on Feeders Weekend February 5-6, 2011 Northern Cardinal, by David Parish. Bird feeding is an extremely popular winter activity in our region and for more than 40 years Mass Audubon has harnessed that interest by asking volunteers like you to participate in our annualFocus on Feeders event. Focus On Feeders is for backyard bird enthusiasts of all ages! Join the fun and participate in this long-standing tradition by reporting the number and species of birds in your backyard and visiting your feeders during the weekend of February 5th and 6th. Results from across the Commonwealth —including yours! — will be tallied and  displayed on our website by the end of March. In addition, all participants will be entered into a drawing to win Mass Audubon grocery bags, baseball caps, and other prizes. Focus on Feeders also features a photo contest, and winning photographs will appear on our website with results. Visit our website for more information and an official 2011 Focus on Feeders Report Form. Questions? Contact us at focusonfeeders@massaudubon.org. Mass Audubon208 South Great Road Lincoln, MA 01773 781-259-9500 / 800-AUDUBON http://www.massaudubon.org/

I want to thank a certain follower of my wee little birding blog for sending me a message not only in regards to Focus on Feeders, but her kind words about this blog. I am very glad to know that some people do find some enjoyment with my occasional exploits with the birding world! So, thank you Hilary at Mass Audubon and happy birding to all! Now go out there this upcoming weekend and watch what wonderful birds alight onto your feeders!

Project FeederWatch - Week 11 - The Day After Nothingness in VT!

Today's numbers were lower than they have been the past several weeks, but the numbers of species and bird totals FAR exceeded the birds Kirk and I tried to see yesterday up at Wenlock WMA in Ferdinand, Vermont! We were virtually "skunked", and I say virtually because we DID see 4 Black-capped Chickadees, but in my books, that equates to zilch when your hoping for at least a few boreal species that can sometimes be found in a boreal forest this time of year! Christ, Kirk and I thought we would see something of interest considering a year ago in January of 2010 we had plenty to make our mouths water. That day we went for our target bird (and got it), which was a Northern Hawk Owl, and we also chanced upon several Boreal Chickadees, a Gray Jay (my 2nd all-time favorite bird), a few Red-breasted Nuthatches and we heard several White-winged Crossbills but could not get on any of them, sadly. What a difference a year makes....and yes, that day in Jan of 2010, we did have BC Chickadees as well.....yay. You can see the aforementioned usual suspect EVERY day no matter where you are in New England. Yes, I am sure you can sense my frustration, and the fact that all this snow we are getting and will be getting (3-6 on Tuesday, 12-18 on Wednesday/Thursday possible this week) is driving me bonkers!


Nonetheless, our trip yesterday was a welcome adventure, just to get out in nature amongst the beautiful pristine climes of a boreal forest in the winter. So, today, when I did my observance for Project FeederWatch, I was secretly hoping for perhaps a Pine Siskin or Common Redpoll, maybe even a WW Crossbill.....but I didn't expect it, and did not receive such awesomeness today. My ever-present buddy, the lone Red-breasted Nuthatch was around and kickin', and we had only our 2nd American Tree Sparrow of the season in attendance today. And yes, that European Starling is still hanging around as well, but that isn't too surprising given the fact that there is a flock of over 200 of them not too far away from where I live. Anyhoo, my full list of sightings is below, and happy birding to all, for I know those winter finches are starting to creep around more and more as of late....you elusive, nomadic little buggers!!

Mourning Dove	4
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	2
Hairy Woodpecker	1
Blue Jay	3
Black-capped Chickadee	7
Tufted Titmouse	3
Red-breasted Nuthatch	1
White-breasted Nuthatch	1
European Starling	1
American Tree Sparrow	1
White-throated Sparrow	1
Dark-eyed Junco	3
Northern Cardinal	5
House Finch	8
American Goldfinch	3