Thanks to Paula and Ned for their Feederwatch reports this winter. It’s great fun to hear what other birders are seeing during our “quiet” months. Many folks follow their posts and we all appreciate their efforts.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
04/08/2016
THE GRAND FINALE: Feederwatch Week 21: My final 2 days (April 5 &6) were beautiful and I had 23 species for my last count. I was able to add 2 species for this year–an Eastern Phoebe perched in several places for a while and then I was surprised to have a Pileated Wdp. on one of the trees at the edge of my feeder area. My Hermit Thrush is still around each day but my 2 Fox Sparrows have finally “packed their bags” and started on their migration route. The other 20 species were: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Am.Robins, Brown Thrasher, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Am.Goldfinches. I’m looking forward to my first Salali Lane, Greenway walk on Wed. April 13. Hope to see you there–don’t forget to check the Cornell website–www.allaboutbirds.org where you can view all kinds of nests (Condors, Barn Owls, Great-horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Barred Owls, etc. All have eggs or young ones!!!!
Paula Gorgoglione says:
04/01/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 20: I had another 2 beautiful days for watching my feeders and I had 22 species come to the banquet!!! There were no new species to add but this is the list of the 22: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Bluebirds, Hermit Thrush, Am.Robins, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, C.Grackles, and Am.Goldfinches. I can’t believe that there is only ONE WEEK LEFT of Project Feederwatch which ends on April 8.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
03/25/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 19: I thought that last week was gorgeous and busy at the feeders but this week topped that–It was non-stop feeding with 25 species coming to visit!!! And here’s the list: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdp., N. Flicker (first time that he’s been counted this season in the feeder area), Blue Jay, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Bluebirds, Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrows(still here everyday), Am.Robins, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, C. Grackles (too many), Brown-headed Cowbirds, House Finch, and Am.Goldfinches. ONLY TWO WEEKS MORE for Project Feederwatch–then I’ll be seeing you on our Greenway walks!!!! Can’t wait!
Paula Gorgoglione says:
03/19/2016
FEEDERWATCH-Week 18: March 15 and 16 were gorgeous days and I had 23 species come around my feeder area ( I had 22 species just within the first 3 hours on Tues.)!!! New to my count this feederwatch season was the return of a Brown Thrasher (usually Brown Thrashers are counted here year around but this year they had disappeared) and a few Brown-headed Cowbirds. The Hermit Thrush as well as 2 Fox Sparrows are also still here and are seen almost every day. The other species were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jay, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Am.Robins, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, C,Grackles, House Finch, and Am.Goldfinches. There are ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT since Project Feederwatch ends on April 8. You can already sign up for the 2016-2017 Season which begins Nov.12,2016 by going to http://www.feederwatch.org.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
03/12/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 17–Wow, Spring has really sprung!!! My two days on Mar.8/9 were really beautiful and I had 21 species visit my yard. There were no new species but I am still happy that the Hermit Thrush is around as well as the Fox Sparrow. I’ve also had the C.Grackles take over the feeders giving the smaller birds a hard time. In addition I had the usual Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jay, Am.Crow, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Am.Robins, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbird, and Am.Goldfinches. I mentioned about the Bald Eagles having two eaglets that are growing bigger very quickly (www.berry.edu/eaglecam) but there are also 2 new Great Horned Owls that can be seen at http://www.allaboutbirds.org.
Ned Kraft says:
03/09/2016
I’ve missed posting on the Franklin Bird club blog the last 2 weeks so I’ll do them both now.
Feb 29 and March 1 were my best viewing of the whole season. I had a record 20 different bird species come for a visit. The robins returned and I counted 15 of the them. Also, I saw 3 red-winged blackbirds for the first time this season. 11 Dark-eyed Juncos and 11 European Starlings. The other birds I spotted were house Finch, Blue jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, American Goldfinch, Morning Doves, Towhees, Chipping sparrows, Song Sparrows, Downy Woodpecker, Mockingbird, Pine Siskin, and Grackles,
Feb 7-8 I spotted 18 species. There was a large number of Robins in the yard ( 20 ). The other birds I spotted were House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, American Goldfinch, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, Towhees, Downy Woodpecker, Mockingbirds, Pine Siskins, Brown Thrashers, European Starlings, and crows.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
03/05/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 16: My 2 Feederwatch days began overcast with a little rain but the birds really showed up–I had 24 species come in and around my feeder area. I could never see a Ruffed Grouse in the town of Franklin where I live, but I did have a couple of new visitors on my guest list this week–a N.Mockingbird who walked around the feeder area and then perched on top of the suet and pecked at it, as well as a Cooper’s Hawk who caused quite a ruckus which was led mostly by the Crows. What excitement! I’m also happy to still have the Hermit Thrush and the Fox Sparrows around everyday. My other usual species were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jay, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Am.Robins, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbirds, C.Grackles, House Finch, and Am Goldfinches.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
02/27/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 15: What weather! Sporadic rains and sometimes gusty winds, but mild temps–and the feeding was slow at first but finally they came. I had 19 species with my favorite guests this week being the Hermit Thrush and 2 Fox Sparrows who were there almost everytime I looked out!! I also had lots of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles. My other more typical species were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, Pine Siskins, and Am Goldfinches. On another note if you want to see a beautiful sight look at http://www.berry.edu/eaglecam and watch the TWO little eaglets as they are fed by their parents and are already growing and changing.
Ned Kraft says:
02/23/2016
My feederwatch days were Feb 15-16 with rain both days with low temperatures in the upper 30’s and high’s near 50. The largest group of birds I saw were Pine Siskins ( 11 ) and Northern Cardinals ( 7 ). I spotted a total of 18 species and the rest of them are: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Robins, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, Eastern Towhees, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrows, Downy Woodpecker, and Mockingbirds.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
02/18/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 14: From sunshine to rain with above freezing temps–my 2 days on Feb. 16/17 brought 18 species. I was happy to have a Hermit Thrush around again and even the Blue Jays came back after 7 weeks of not showing up. The other guests were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch, C.Wrens, Am.Robins, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals,, and Am.Goldfinches (lots). Please let us know what’s showing up at your feeders too!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ned Kraft says:
02/15/2016
My Feederwatch days were Feb 8-9. Both days were quite cold, however, I had the most species to date make a visit, 19. The largest groups that I saw were Cardinals ( 10 ), Goldfinch ( 10 ), Robins ( 10 ), and Dark-eyed Juncos ( 9 ). The other birds I saw were house finch, Blue jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Morning Doves, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Mockingbird, Pine Siskin, and American Crows
Paula Gorgoglione says:
02/11/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 13: My 2 days had a mix of weather–Feb.9 was snowy and Feb. 10 was sunny but both days were never above freezing. My feeders were always busy and I had 15 species visit: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Bluebird, Eur.Starling, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, and Am.Goldfinches. No surprises!!! Keep you eyes on the Berry College eagle nest–the eggs are about to hatch any time now!!!Go to http://www.berry.edu/eaglecam.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
02/06/2016
FEEDERWATCH–Week 12: It was a mixture of sun, clouds, and then rain on my watching days–Feb. 2/3, 2016…and I had 18 species visit my feeders. I was most happy to finally get 3 Pine Siskins enjoying my buffet–the others were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Am.Crow, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch, C.Wrens, Am.Robin, Eur.Starling, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. Last week I mentioned some cams at http://www.allaboutbirds.org. They have a cam in Savannah, GA, that is on a Great Horned Owl nest–and the owl has 2 eggs. So check it out!!!
Ned Kraft says:
02/05/2016
My Feederwatch days Feb 1-2 were both warmer than usual. The highs approached 68 degrees. This was also the first time I have seen Robins since early December. There was a flock of 27 Robins feeding on the ground. With the warmer temperatures, I guess there were a lot of worms to be had. I also had lots of European Starling ( 15 ) at the feeder and on the ground. The rest of the 18 birds I spotted were: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinal, Red- bellied and Downy Woodpeckers, American Goldfinch, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, Eastern Towhee, Chipping and Song Sparrows, Pine Siskin, Northern Flicker.
Ned Kraft says:
01/30/2016
My Feederwatch days were Jan 25-26. The daytime temperatures were near 50 degrees. There was a group of 13 European Starlings that swarmed the feeders. I had a total of 17 bird species visit on my 2 days. The other birds were: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina chickadees, White-breasted, Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse,Northern Cardinal,Red-bellied Woodpecker,American Goldfinch, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker,Pine Siskin, and Crows.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
01/29/2016
FEEDERWATCH Week 11: It was mostly overcast with a little drizzly rain and then back to sunshine on my two days–Jan. 26/27. The birds were hungry and I had 17 species enter my feeder area: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Bluebird, just one Am. Robin, Eur.Starlings (fighting over the suet), E.Towhees, lots of Field Sparrows again, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. If you sometimes feel that it’s too cold to go out to your feeders go to http://www.allaboutbirds.org and you can view their live cams–one is in Ontario, Canada, and this morning it was -14degrees!!! But the birds were eating like crazy!!! You can also see a cam in Hawaii–there is a newly hatched fuzzy Albatross!!!
Ned Kraft says:
01/26/2016
My Feederwatch count days were Jan 18-19. We had no snow or rain, however, it was quite cold. It seemed that the colder it got there were more birds jockeying for a spot at the feeder. At one point all the birds left in a hurry, I spotted a Red Shouldered Hawk in a tree nearby. The birds didn’t want to become food for the Hawk. The other birds I spotted were House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied woodpecker, Goldfinch, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Towhees, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, Mockingbird, Pine Siskin, and European Starlings. The total bird was 17.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
01/21/2016
Feederwatch Week 10: Both of my count days this week (Jan.19/20) were very busy but the most fun day to watch was Wed. As the snow fall increased so did the frenzy at the feeders–some even got a little nasty when other birds wanted their spot!!! In all I had 15 species–Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Eur.Starlings, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows (usually I have only about 2-4 at a time but they brought all their cousins this time); Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, N.Cardinals, and Am.Goldfinches. I usually have about 18-19 species around this time of year but 2 common birds of the past have been missing–my Brown Thrashers and even the Blue Jays haven’t been around!?! And this year I have not had a Purple Finch or Pine Siskin. It’s still not too late to join Feederwatch–then you can enter your feeder birds until April 8.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
01/17/2016
Feederwatch Week 9: It was cold but sunny on Jan. 12/13 and I had 16 species feasting around my feeders, bushes, etc. There were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, Eur.Starling, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos (I usually only get one or two but this was a flock of 9), N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. This doesn’t have to do with Project Feederwatch but if you love BALD EAGLES (who doesn’t?) go to http://www.berry.edu/eaglecam where you can watch an eagle nest–the eagle recently laid 2 eggs and they will possibly hatch about Feb.11-14.
Ned Kraft says:
01/15/2016
My Feederwatch days were Jan. 11 and 12. It was very cold both those days, however, the birds were quite active. There were a group of 12 Pine Siskins that showed up. The total number of bird species that I saw were 16.Besides the Pine Siskins, I also saw: House Finch, blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Morning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Towhee, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Mockingbird, Northern Flicker.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
01/09/2016
Feederwatch Week 8: My 2 count days on Jan.5/6 went from a low of 14 degrees on Tues. to up to 52 degrees on Wed. and I had 16 species. New to my count were 3 Red-winged Blackbirds but the others were my usual hungry visitors: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Am.Crow, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. IT’S NOT TOO LATE to sign up for Project Feederwatch–so if you enjoy watching the birds in your yard, please join!!!
Ned Kraft says:
01/07/2016
With busy times before Christmas and after I haven’t had a chance to post my Feederwatch sightings on the Franklin Bird club website. On Jan. 4th and 5th I saw a total of 18 species. It was quite cold these two days with lows in the teens and highs in the 30’s and low 40’s. A group of 25 Starling came for a visit, followed by 12 Robins and 10 Cedar Waxwings. The rest of the birds are as follows: House Finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, Carolina Wren, Downy Woodpecker, American Crows, Yellow Rump Warbler, and a Purple Finch.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
Feederwatch Week 7: My 2 days (Dec.29/30) went from pleasant to rainy and the temps were well above normal (70+) but the birds were not very interested in the feeder area. In all it was very quiet and I had a total of 13 species which were Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch, C.Wren, Am.Robin, E.Towhees, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, and Am.Goldfinches. I think my birds probably went to Ned’s home–they may have felt he had a better buffet! Let us know what you are seeing at your feeders!
Paula Gorgoglione says:
12/24/2015
Feederwatch Week 6–My two days (Dec. 22/23) were not sunny like last week but the birds were much more active, especially on the drizzly Wednesday! In all I had 18 species come in and out for my buffet–Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jay, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at the suet, E.Bluebirds, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
12/19/2015
Feederwatch Week 5: On Dec. 15/16 the weather was pleasant and sunny and it was so quiet at the feeders–but I did have 15 species which were the following: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Blue Jays and Am.Crows, C.Chickadees and Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C.Wrens, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, E.Towhees, N.Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. Thanks to Ned for letting us know what he is seeing–even if you don’t do Project Feederwatch for Cornell you can still report to us about the birds coming to your yard!
Ned Kraft says:
12/16/2015
We are into the 5th week of Feederwatch. Normally I post on a weekly basis and will start doing that beginning next week. The last 5 weeks I have seen a variety of birds. The best week was week 3. I spotted 16 species and counted a total of 39 birds. The following is a list of all birds I have seen over the last 5 weeks. House finch, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Robins, Morning Doves, Dark-eyed Junco’s, Red-shouldered Hawk, Carolina Wren, Chipping sparrow, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Pine Siskin, and Crows.
Paula Gorgoglione says:
12/15/2015
FEEDERWATCH–THE FIRST FOUR WEEKS AT THE GORGOGLIONE HOME: Since we have had a late start with the reports I will just list my BEST WEEK which was the first–My observation dates were Nov. 17 & 18, 2015. I had decided to observe on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this year and I’m glad I did since Wed., Nov. 18, was an unusual non-stop feeding day and I ended up with 24 species. Usually my biggest counts only come in late Winter/early Spring. These were my guest species either directly feeding at the feeders or in the bushes after berries, etc.: Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Downy Wdps., Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue Jays, Am.Crows, C.Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, C. Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, E.Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, flocks of Am. Robins, Eur.Starling, Cedar Waxwing, E.Towhees, Field Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Fox Sparrow, N. Cardinals, House Finches, and Am.Goldfinches. After that week my counts have been back to the normal range: Nov. 24/25 I had 17 species; Dec. 1/2 I had 16 species; and on Dec.8/9 I had 14 species. The only additional species to the ones listed above was the Dark-eyed Junco.
Please let us know what you are seeing at your feeders!!!!!
Although our summer visitors have long since departed, the birding excitement continues. It’s time to keep a sharp eye out for our winter, feathered friends and helping us do that is Cornell’s 2015-2016 Feederwatch.
get-attachment-23.aspxThis citizen-scientist program is sponsored by The Cornell Lab and the 2015-2016 season began on Saturday, Nov. 14 and ends on Friday, April 8, a total of 21 weeks.
Feederwatch offers a great chance for all of us to be citizen scientists in our own backyard. The info we report, often sighting the same birds each week, when added to all the other observerations across the country, really does help ornithologists keep track of what’s happening with bird populations. This is just a brief overview of Feederwatch. Be sure to visit feederwatch.org for the full story and registration.
If you’re involved with Feederwatch, or have spotted something unusual in your area, just post your findings below.
Welcome to the Franklin Bird Club 