Fill up those bird feeders and dig out your binoculars for New Hampshire Audubon’s Backyard Winter Bird Survey. This annual statewide survey will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15. Biologists need assistance from citizens all over the Granite State to get a clear picture of what’s really happening with our winter birds.
Anyone can participate in the Backyard Winter Bird Survey by counting the birds in their own backyard on the survey weekend and reporting on-line or sending the results on a special reporting form to N.H. Audubon. To receive a copy of the reporting form and complete instructions on how to participate, send a self-addressed, stamped, long envelope to: New Hampshire Audubon, Winter Bird Survey, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 03301.
Forms are also available at N.H. Audubon centers in Auburn, Concord and Manchester, and on-line. Find more information about the survey at nhaudubon.org.
Data from the Backyard Winter Bird Survey is used to track changes in the distribution and abundance of many species. Each year about 1,300 observers across the state count the birds coming to their feeders. “The strength of the survey is that we can look at trends over the long term,” says Survey Coordinator Rebecca Suomala. “We now have more than 25 years of data and we can see the patterns of ups and downs in different bird species.”
Last year, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Carolina Wren were tallied in record numbers. These two species were once found only in the southern US but they have expanded their range northward well into New Hampshire.
Evening Grosbeaks hit a record low of only 70 birds in 2014. These grosbeaks were originally a western species that didn’t become common in New Hampshire until the 1970s but since the 1990s their numbers have been declining. Biologists don’t know what caused these changes, but they may be linked to spruce budworm outbreaks, the larva of which make up a large part of the Evening Grosbeak’s diet. Incidental reports suggest this species may be on the increase again and the Backyard Winter Bird Survey will help provide information on their population changes.
Reports of a lack of birds are just as valuable as reports of many birds. “If everyone reported only when they have a lot of birds, we wouldn’t be able to see the declines,” says Suomala.
All New Hampshire residents are encouraged to take part. Results from past years are on the N.H. Audubon website. For more information about the Backyard Winter Bird Survey, please call 224-9909 or go to nhaudubon.org and click on Birding.
