Focus on Feeders - 2012 Results & Photo Contest Winners

	Save the Date: Focus on Feeders is February 2-3, 2013.
Most Humorous Bottoms Up! Photo by Chris Steel
Photo Contest Winners

We would like to thank the more than 850 backyard bird-feeding enthusiasts from across Massachusetts who took part in the 2012 Focus on Feeders.

As usual, we received feedback from a great number of observant backyard birders, so that our long-term database continues to grow in size and value. Due to the exceptionally mild weather we had this winter, numbers of birds seen at feeders were uncommonly low, and we appreciate the dedication and persistence demonstrated through your participation.

Along with other conservation tools like our State of the Birds Report, Focus on Feeders helps raise public awareness and provides information that will help guide us as we move forward in our many exciting new bird conservation initiatives.

A few highlights from the 2012 Focus on Feeders:

• Nearly 100 species were reported. These included 39 of the 40 species we have been tracking since 1997 (no ruby-crowned kinglets this year). Several raptors, waterfowl, wading birds, and rare species were also reported, including the lazuli bunting at our Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary, and a Townsend's warbler in Ipswich.


• Species which were observed in the greatest numbers:
  
  4,353  Dark-eyed Juncos
  3,820  House Sparrows
  3,642  Mourning Doves
  3,332  American Goldfinches
  2,791  Black-capped Chickadees

• Bird activity was markedly reduced at feeders this year. Overall numbers reported were down, with all but 3 species on our list (House Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch) less likely to be reported than during Focus on Feeders 2011. This relative absence of feeder birds was most likely caused by the extremely warm temperatures and lack of snowfall we experienced over the winter. It will be interesting to follow this trend in subsequent winters, to see if changes due to climate warming affect activity at feeders in the long run.  Most climate models predict that we will experience substantial fluctuations in weather from year to year, and we’ll be watching closely to see how the birds react.


• Despite the notable absence of birds from Massachusetts feeders this winter, species rank order remained similar to past years (i.e., the same species were most commonly reported). One exception was the increase in rank-order for American robin. Again, warm winter temperatures likely allowed many individuals to remain in the Commonwealth for the winter, whereas they’d be inclined to migrate to warmer climes most years. Another exception was a sharp drop in rank-order for blue jay. Blue jays showed the most dramatic declines of all species in general, with approximately one-third fewer participants seeing them at their feeders this year. Massachusetts Christmas Bird Counts also indicate that blue jays are notably scarce this winter, due in part to last fall’s significant shortage of acorns.


• Other notable decreases were in sightings of red-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, American tree sparrow, and pine siskin. Note that pine siskin is one of our “irruptive” species, so would be expected to vary greatly from year to year.  However, Mass Audubon’s State of the Birds Report indicates that this species is also showing long-term declines in winter, along with American tree sparrow, blue jay, and several other species that we typically think of as "common".


• As noted last year, European starling, one of our non-native species, continues to show a long-term decline in feeder numbers. This species is also experiencing quite dramatic declines within its native range (particularly in the U.K. and Northern Europe), although reasons for these declines are currently unknown. We and other conservation organizations across North America will continue to monitor this species, to help determine what is causing this negative worldwide trend.

View the map of number of species by zipcode. (As always care should be taken before drawing conclusions from what may be short-term and minor fluctuations in numbers.)

Thanks to your participation, our winter feeder database continues to grow. The current Focus on Feeders program dates from 1997, and the updated rank order of birds visiting feeders since 1997 can be found in this table (PDF).

And the winners are:

Best Overall Photo – 18 and Older
Susumu Kishihara
Species: Common Redpolls
Title: Early Bird Special

Best Overall Photo – Under 18
Lori Lynes
Species: Red Squirrel
Title: Nom nom nom

Most Humorous Photo
Chris Steel
Species: Eastern Bluebirds
Title: Bottoms up!

Best Action Photo
Donald Perkins
Species: Bald Eagle
Title: Majestic

Best Wildlife Photo
Beth Ann Humphrey
Species: Gray Foxes
Title: Foxy Feast

IN CONCLUSION...

Although participation was slightly lower than last year, we had 292 towns out of 351 Massachusetts towns and cities reporting. Let’s get back on a positive trend, and next year get a record from every town in Massachusetts! Please encourage your friends and neighbors to join in the fun and help us “soar to new heights” in 2013. Citizen science is becoming more and more valuable as a conservation tool, as long as we can collect information from enough keen-eyed observers across the state.

Our participants reported that they feed birds an average of 10 months of the year, and set up an average of 4 feeders (some reported maintaining as many as 29 feeders!). Similar to last year, the most popular feed used was sunflower seed, followed by suet, thistle, and mixed seed. Most participants shop for bird food at grocery stores, but many also support our conservation efforts by purchasing bird feeding supplies and equipment at the Audubon Shop and our wildlife sanctuaries.
Of the over 850 people who took part in this event, more than 67% were Mass Audubon members — we'd like to thank our members for their support as well as their participation!

Is your community represented? How many different species were seen in your region and around the state? Find out by viewing our participation and species distribution maps. This year, we had the most reports from Plymouth, followed by Eastham, Lexington, Newton, and Acton, but a great representation from some of our smaller, less populated towns as well.

Additionally, 92% of you reported that you had visited a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary, and 39% had taken a Mass Audubon program. With spectacular sites from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and the Islands, Mass Audubon offers many wonderful opportunities for bird watching, hiking, paddling and other outdoor activities. Find a sanctuary in your part of the state.