-----Original Message-----
From: kurtcapt87@xxxxxxxxxxx <kurtcapt87@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 4, 2019 9:45 PM
To: 'David Gibson' <20cabot@xxxxxxxxx>; 'nanjyoung@xxxxxxxx'
<nanjyoung@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [VA-bird] White-throated Sparrows
VA BIRDers,
Although I have not finished the data input for the Fort Belvoir CBC (the count
took place on Dec 30, 2018 and covers a range of habitats in Fairfax and Prince
William Counties close to the Potomac River), I can make some preliminary
comparisons to previous counts (I have the circle database going back to 1969).
Currently the White-throated Sparrows count is near a historical high - both
in total and party hour normalized counts; the latter measure is more useful
for making comparisons. I have made this assessment by making a quick
comparison to data collected in the circle over 20 or more years (statistics
are pretty good as, typically in recent times, over 350 party hours are
contributed for each count).
My analysis of Tufted Titmouse is more preliminary but current estimates put
totals at the bottom of the normalized average range (there are fluctuations
about the mean from count to count; using a simple Gaussian fit to estimate the
error gives one an estimate of the average range). On the other hand Carolina
Chickadees totals this year are below the long term normalized average range.
There were many other ups and downs - for example, nearly all of us know of the
dearth of waterfowl in the Northern Virginia region this winter. I hope to
report more in about a week when I finish the data compilation and input
process. Thank you.
Kurt Gaskill
Compiler, Fort Belvoir CBC
-----Original Message-----
From: VA-bird <va-bird-bounces+kurtcapt87=verizon.net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of David Gibson via VA-bird
Sent: Monday, February 4, 2019 8:19 PM
To: nanjyoung@xxxxxxxx
Cc: VA-BIRD <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [VA-bird] White-throated Sparrows
Wow. Isn't it great when you take a careful look at the data.
Dave Gibson
https://birdpartner.com/
On Mon, Feb 4, 2019 at 7:51 PM <nanjyoung@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Vineeta and David,*** You are subscribed to VA-bird as kurtcapt87@xxxxxxxxxxx. If you wish to
I was surprised you said your numbers have dropped because I've been
seeing the W.T. Sparrows nearly every day since they arrived in
October. And it's been the same the last winter and several before
that. BUT I decided to do some checking and not just go by
impressions. I've been counting birds for Cornel's "Project Feeder
Watch" for many years. They keep track of all the entries so I went
back to 2015 when I moved to my new house. The counting season is from
mid November to mid April. You count two days with five days in
between. Here's what I found. Below I wrote the average group size of
the 2-day count and the highest number of the birds seen during any of
the count days. I hope the chart comes out looking okay.
2015 - 2016 Average group size 4.5 and highest 9
2016 - 2017 average 4.3 and highest 7
2017 - 2018 average 3.3 and highest 5
2018 - 2019 (so far) 2.7 and highest 4
So they are declining here!!
Nancy Young
Troutville, VA (Botetourt County)
near Roanoke
-----Original Message-----
From: Vineeta via VA-bird
Sent: Monday, February 4, 2019 10:30 AM
To: David Gibson
Cc: VA-BIRD
Subject: Re: [VA-bird] White-throated Sparrows
I've noticed a huge drop in numbers in my garden. And it makes me very sad.
Vineeta in Alexandria.
On Mon, Feb 4, 2019 at 9:45 AM David Gibson via VA-bird <
va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Have folks in VA noticed a drop in numbers from previous years?https://ebird.org/science/status-and-trends/whtspa/trend-map-non-breed
According to ebird,
ing,
the trend doesn't look good. I've seen almost zero on trips I've led.in
Ironically, I had one bird in my yard this am. I also had a single
bird
Nov. All the above is highly unusual.
Dave Gibson
https://birdpartner.com/
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--
"In my view, nature has a rather remarkable track record in creating
wetlands and developers do not.” Michael R. Deland, former regional
director of the Environmental Protection Agency. December 1941-January
2019.
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