Back to the BWBS	Annual Summary for 1995
	ASNH Winter Bird Survey

1995 Backyard Winter Bird Survey Results by Diane De Luca

Thank you for your participation in last February's Annual Winter Bird Survey. All the data has been computerized and the final 1995 results are tabulated. The continued support of observers such as yourself has built a strong database from which to make comparisons of yearly winter bird trends. Close to 1200 participants helped make 1995's survey another strong and successful one. Numerous volunteers worked to enter the data and organize the results. A big thank you to all! The 1995 survey weekend was cold and wintry with northern areas experiencing snow squalls and the entire state dealing with strong, gusty winds on Sunday. This weather was in great contrast to the warm and mild weather experienced in December and January - both months with record high temperatures and little snowfall. Your general comments reflected the record warmth with many observers reporting low numbers of birds. The 1995 data does show a slight decrease from the 1994 data (a severe winter) for many of the more common feeder birds, particularly the Black-capped Chickadee. However, the data since 1987 indicates the numbers of species such as the Mourning Dove, Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse and White-breasted Nuthatch have remained relatively stable. The winter of 1994 was the year of the "irruptive" species as cold temperatures and record snowfall amounts pushed many northern birds into our region. In 1995, however, the mild weather allowed for species such as the Pine Grosbeak and Common Redpoll to forage at home. The data reflects this with no Pine Grosbeaks and few Common Redpolls reported. Other species which may move south during severe weather, such as the Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch, stayed in New Hampshire resulting in a threefold increase in both Dark-eyed Junco and American Goldfinch numbers - the highest since the survey began. Resident species, such as the Black-capped Chickadee, were able to find natural food, therefore visiting feeders less frequently. The mild temperatures also allowed a few southern species to overwinter as evidenced by reports of numerous groups of Eastern Bluebirds, two Hermit Thrush, high numbers of American Robins, a Brown Thrasher, Rufous-sided Towhee and Chipping Sparrow. The Carolina Wren, however, showed a 50% decline from the high numbers in 1993 and 1994. This is likely due to mortality during the severe weather of 1994 as many birds that had expanded north in past years were not able to make it through the winter. In addition to the southern highlights listed above, some feeder watchers were treated to views of a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Fox Sparrows, Snow Buntings and White-winged Crossbills. Note that we have again included a number of unusual sightings that were received, such as a Long-eared Owl, Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Warbler, which could not be confirmed due to insufficient details. We highly encourage you to submit supporting details of your sightings - they add depth and accuracy to the survey. Thanks to all who did provide details and photos of unusual birds. The data from this survey continues to build an excellent database from which to make comparisons and determinations of the geographic distribution of our winter species. Thanks again for your participation in last year's survey, and special thanks to those of you who sent a donation to help defray our costs. Best wishes for backyard birding in 1996.