Steve,
I looked at my DC CBC records and discovered a drop in small passerines
(Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch) of about
25 to 30 % between 2002 and 2004 (the West Nile Virus years). However, by
2005 the numbers began to increase again among all three species. At least
the numbers suggest full recovery. Interestingly, Whitehatch numbers
steadily increased and in 2012, the species broke a count record.
In contrast, corvid numbers seem to recover more slowly. A crow roost was
poisoned in 2002 if memory serves me correctly, and that certainly didn't
help recovery.
Larry Cartwright
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: VA-bird <va-bird-bounces+prowarbler=verizon.net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of Steve Young via VA-bird
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2019 12:15 AM
To: David Gibson <20cabot@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: VA-BIRD <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [VA-bird] White-throated Sparrows
My anecdotal impression in Arlington VA is that number of White-throated
Sparrows, Tufted Titmice, and Carolina Chickadees here seem fairly normal
*in good habitats*.
Couple additional thoughts, though. We still don't know everything there is
to know about how heavier snowfalls may impact regional movements and
population numbers of birds. We had some early and significant snows that
may have played a role in the numbers folks are seeing. Areas to the south
were hit significantly by the December storm that utterly skipped DC. And, I
still don't think Chickadee and Titmice numbers have necessarily fully
recovered from the devastating impact of the initial West Nile Virus
outbreak. My impression is we have seen partial but not full recovery.
Finally, the reports of declining insects are extremely worrying and I agree
with Marlene that we should be doing everything we can to help the insects
on which most songbirds rely, at least for successfully rearing their young.
Or making life easier for our winter visitors.
Cheers, Steve Young, Arlington
On Mon, Feb 4, 2019 at 9:03 AM David Gibson via VA-bird <
va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Have folks in VA noticed a drop in numbers from previous years?*** You are subscribed to VA-bird as prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx. If you wish to
According to ebird,
https://ebird.org/science/status-and-trends/whtspa/trend-map-non-breed
ing, the trend doesn't look good. I've seen almost zero on trips I've
led.
Ironically, I had one bird in my yard this am. I also had a single
bird in Nov. All the above is highly unusual.
Dave Gibson
https://birdpartner.com/
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