Focus on Feeders 2008
Results & Photo Contest Winners

We would like to thank the more than 700 backyard bird feeding enthusiasts from across Massachusetts who took part in this fun and educational annual event. Focus on Feeders helps to raise conservation awareness, and further Mass Audubon's efforts to protect wildlife and habitat in Massachusetts.

A few highlights from the 2008 event:

• Nearly 50 different species were reported. The top five remains unchanged, although Mourning Dove replaced Dark-eyed Junco with the greatest number reported.
• The species observed in the greatest numbers were Mourning Doves (3,697 sightings), Dark-eyed Juncos (3,595 sightings), House (English) Sparrow (3,229 sightings), Black-capped Chickadees (3,011 sightings), and American Goldfinch (2,548 sightings).
• Numbers of birds per participant (PDF 61K) were down from 2007, and most species decreased, including Dark-eyed Junco, whose sightings per observer were down from a record high in 2007. Eurasian Starling decreased by nearly 50%. Black-capped Chickadee sightings increased by nearly 25%.
• Care should be taken before generalizing from these short-term changes that reflect variation in participation from year to year and differences in weather. Several participants noted that feeder visitation was down the weekend of the count, especially compared to previous weeks.
• Some interesting patterns are beginning to emerge, and we will continue to provide more detailed analysis of these results in upcoming posts to our web site. Starlings appear to be experiencing a long-term decline in feeder numbers. We will be filtering our database for those participants who have been reporting since 2003 and focus our analysis on changes in those feeder reports.
• We had a wet winter, with lots of snow and rain, and generally cold temperatures. Winter finches (grosbeaks and redpolls) and Bohemian Waxwings were widely reported in Massachusetts this year. Pine Siskins were infrequent, interestingly enough.
• 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 32K).
• We would like to hear from you! Please let us know how we can continue to improve this program and increase participation.
• Please ask your neighbors to join in the fun! The more participants we have, the more valuable the data. A 2001 US Fish and Wildlife Service survey indicated that more than 1,000,000 people in Massachusetts feed birds!
• Most participants reported that they have 2 or more feeders, and feed birds an average of 12 months of the year. Sunflower seed and suet tied for first place as the feed most used, followed by thistle and mixed seed. Please support our conservation efforts by purchasing your bird feeding supplies and equipment at the Audubon Shop and our wildlife sanctuaries.

Did you Know?

Mass Audubon has been asking Massachusetts residents to report feeder birds since 1967. It all started with surveys for Northern Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse, common feeder birds today, but rare in Massachusetts in the 1960's. Learn more about this effort and the history of feeder watching in Massachusetts.

Did you participate?

Of the more than 700 people who took part in this event, 71% were Mass Audubon members -- we'd like to thank our members for their support as well as their participation!

Did your community participate? How many different species were seen in your region and around the state? Find out by viewing our participation and species distribution maps.

Want to learn more about birds and birding?

To do some birding beyond your backyard, go where the birds are! Mass Audubon's 47 wildlife sanctuaries include some of the most spectacular habitats in Massachusetts. They are open year-round, and each season brings you unique opportunities to explore nature. 90% of this year's Focus on Feeders participants reported that they had visited a Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary.

A total of 165 participants, members and non-members alike, told us they had taken a Mass Audubon birding program. If you are interested in other ways to get involved in Mass Audubon's bird conservation work there are many opportunities:

• Bird-a-thon, a fun 24-hour search for species, which raises important funds for our statewide wildlife and habitat protection efforts.
• Mass Audubon's Oriole Project is seeking citizen scientists to help build a database about the breeding status of these magnificent birds, and ensure they will be a permanent part of our landscape. Help us find Whip-poor-wills! Details coming soon!
• Focus on Feeders takes place every February, but you can record your bird sightings throughout the year with Mass Audubon's eBird, our online birding tool.

And the photo contest winners are...

Thanks to everyone who sent in photographs! From the most humorous to the most interesting, check out this year's photo contest winners below.

2008 Photo Contest Winners
To add to the fun, many participants submitted wildlife photographs with their Report Forms. Prizes were awarded in the following categories:
Best Overall Photo - "Simply beautiful" (Black-capped Chickadee) Submitted by Anne Greene
Most Humorous Feeding Behavior "First you put your left paw here, then..." (Red Squirrel) Submitted by Steve Maggio	Most Interesting Feeding Behavior "Come and get it!" (Sharp-shinned Hawk) Submitted by David Parrish
Most Unusual Bird "What are YOU looking at??!!" (Western Tanager) Submitted by Laurie Williams	Best Photo by Future Naturalist "Hey! I was here first!" (Nuthatch vs. Gray Squirrel) Submitted by Hannah White

View Past Results: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003