Christmas Census Feeder Birds in Western New York

(This column was published on February 10, 1997.)

   Florence Florkowski of Buffalo writes: "For the past two years I have 
noticed that the birds take advantage of my feeder less and less. In earlier 
years I was not able to keep up buying enough bird seed. This year is 
remarkably different. Previously the seed was gone from the bird feeder within 
two days and now it takes two to three weeks or more."

   This most recent letter of concern about declining feeder bird populations 
arrived on the same day as the last of the nine western New York Christmas 
Bird Count reports. I have been telling correspondents that individual feeders 
do not necessarily reflect population trends; that, for example, so many 
people are feeding them that the birds have wider choice. But now I could look 
at counts recorded over seven years to see if Ms. Florkowski's experience 
relates to regional population changes.

   Mea culpa. Clearly my correspondents' experience is closer to the mark than 
I had expected. Feeder bird numbers are indeed down significantly.

   A check of the records for the 28 most common native species that appear at 
-- or around -- feeders shows an overall decline of more than a quarter of 
their numbers. Only three species -- jays, juncos and brown creepers -- are 
more plentiful.

   Some of the population declines are dramatic. Evening grosbeak numbers 
decreased from a seven year average of 978 to 21 this winter. In 1991, almost 
2600 were recorded. It has been so long since these zealous seed gobblers have 
been numerous that some of you new to bird feeding may never have seen one of 
these handsome birds. Redpolls are down from 472 to 16, red-winged blackbirds 
from 48 to 2, Carolina wrens from 19 to 2 and pine siskins from 56 to none.

   Birders classify three types of feeder visitors: species that live here 
year around, those that retreat to this area from Canada for the winter and 
those that have extended their ranges into the region from the South. There 
is, however, overlap among these groups. For example, the southern birds have 
joined our permanent residents and many of our chickadees and blue jays 
migrate.

   The 22 species I consider local residents reflect the overall downward 
trend; their numbers are also off a quarter.

   But as should be expected after the harsh winter of 1995-96 and this year's 
early cold, southern species are reduced even more. These five -- cardinal, 
tufted titmouse, mockingbird, red-bellied woodpecker and Carolina wren -- are 
down 41 percent. There was a similar drop after the winters of 1977 and 1978. 
Despite the availability of feeders, many of these birds cannot survive long 
periods of snow and cold.

   You would think that such extreme weather would drive more birds into our 
area from farther north, but that has not happened. The increase in junco 
numbers is overwhelmed by the declines in other northern visitors -- tree and 
white-throated sparrows, evening grosbeak, redpoll and pine siskin. Together 
their population is down 29 percent.

   The dynamics for the latter three species are quite different. Much 
hardier, they easily withstand the inclement winter weather of the far North. 
What causes their periodic irruptions is lack of food -- a poor Canadian cone 
crop -- or overpopulation after a highly successful breeding season the 
previous summer.

   Last autumn early arriving snowy owls and snow buntings and a longspur in 
mid-October seemed to predict a big year locally for northern species. That 
never materialized and irruptive species are down 98 percent this winter.

   So the concerns of Ms. Florkowski, Mrs. O'Keefe and others are supported by 
the evidence. Let's hope it represents a bad year and not a longer term trend.