2020 Bird Feeder Summary

 

The year 2020 was reported to be a year for backyard bird watching.  With 2020 having drawn to a close, I now have eight years of records for my bird feeding area.  As a reminder, a bird does not have to be eating from my feeder to get recorded, just to be in the bird feeder area, as defined the crabapple tree, juneberry bush, and porch. 

We have recorded 61 bird species in our feeder area.  New Birds for 2020 include: Baltimore Oriole, Blue-headed Vireo, Nashville Warbler, and Northern Mockingbird (in December, no less).  Notable birds for 2020 that have not had many records were: Eastern Towhee and Pine Siskin.

Now for more statistics.  A total of forty different bird species were observed in my feeder area for 2020, which tied for the most in one year, with 2018.  An average of 17.25 bird species a month were observed, which tied for the third highest, with 2016 having 18.17, 2018 having 17.50, and 2017 having 17.25.

These birds were recorded every month: Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and White-breasted Nuthatch.  These birds were recorded in all but one month: American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, and Song Sparrow.  Birds that were recorded in six or more months not already listed: American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, European Starling, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Tufted Titmouse. 

 

Here is a look at my feeder activity by month, from the eight years of data.

Most species:

May (43)

Oct (35)

Apr (34)

Mar (29)

Nov (28)

 

Least species:

Jun (21)

Jul (23)

A four way tie -Jan Feb Sep Dec (24)

Aug (25)

 

Highest Average # of species:

May (20.4)

Apr (19.0)

Oct (18.4)

Nov (17.3)

 

Lowest Average # of species:

Sep (12.1)

Aug (12.2)

Jul (13.7)

Jun (14.9)

 

Diversity and Consistency use the same metric, total species observed in a given month divided by the average number of species observed a given month.  If the same 10 birds came in a given month every year, and only the same 10 birds, it would have a metric of 1.  If a different 10 birds came in a given month every year, it would have a metric of 8. 

Most Consistent Months:

Jun (1.41)

Dec (1.47)

Jan (1.55)

Feb (1.57)

 

Most Diverse Month

May (2.11)

Aug (2.04)

Sep (1.98)

Oct (1.91)