2016 Bird Feeder Summary

Each month, we keep track of visitors to our bird feeders (or the crab apple that holds the feeders and the ground below).  While not as in depth as individual counts, it is still interesting to see trends and totals.  We have been keeping this data since the start of 2013, which gives us some fun numbers to watch.

• A total of 48 bird species have visited our feeder in the four years of observation.  Many of these birds are not seed eaters, but birds that have just happened to forage in our crab apple, such as the six warbler species.
• This year we had a total of 39 species visit our feeder.  The first time visitors were Brown Creeper, Golden-winged Warbler, Harris's Sparrow, Magnolia Warbler, Pine Siskin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
• The average birds at the feeder per month has gone up each year, with 2016 averaging over 18 birds per month.  (2013 = 12.8, 2014, = 14.6, 2015 = 15.5, and 2016 = 18.2)
• Some birds have been less common at our feeder this year.  American Crow, American Tree Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle, Gray Catbird, Eastern Bluebird, Mallard, Northern Flicker, Red-tailed Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Yellow Warbler had a lower frequency this year than overall.
• Here are our 19 most frequent birds for 2016 in descending order: House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, House Finch, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, European Starling, Mourning Dove, White-breasted Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and House Wren.