Annual Backyard Winter Bird Survey

Reminder for 2003

Don't forget to record the number of gray and red squirrels at your feeder. Count them the same way you count the birds - record only the maximum number present at your feeder at any one time. We added squirrels to the survey in 2002 because population changes in rodents like squirrels and chipmunks may impact bird populations and squirrel populations may also change in response to food supply, perhaps in tandem with the bird species which eat the same food.

The new data category for a hawk that is either a Sharp-shinned or a Cooper's Hawk worked very well in 2002 and many of you took advantage of it. These two species are very difficult to tell apart (see the quick reference guide) and if you can't decide between them, please don't guess but instead record it as "Sharp-shinned/Cooper's Hawk". If you know you had a hawk but couldn't tell what kind of species it was, record is as "Hawk species".

When to watch

The 8th and 9th of February only. Watch and count the birds in your yard at any time during the weekend. If you cannot participate this year but would like to be included or remain on the mailing list, please return the survey form. Please fill in your name and address on the front of the form and return to the address as indicated.

How long should I watch?

Watch as little or as long as you wish during the survey weekend. Be sure to record the total number of hours you observed. Approximate as closely as possible. For example, if you were home all day, but only watched for five minutes every hour, your time will be 45 minutes.

How many birds & squirrels to record

Record only the maximum number of each species seen at one time. Do not add to your total each time you see a bird at the feeder. For example, at 10:00AM you see six Blue Jays, at 2:00PM you count seven, and at 5:00PM you count four, your survey total for Blue Jays is seven. Even if you did not see any birds, mark the survey card accordingly and send it in just the same.

Additional & Unusual species

Use the blank lines to record any additional bird species observed. Write-ins are often uncommon species. If you observe an unusual bird, please include a detailed description of the bird's appearance and behavior. Photographs are always helpful. Without this documentation, unusual reports may not be included in the final tally. See the quick reference guide for more information on documenting unusual birds.

Birds you cannot identify

If you don't know the names of all the birds visiting your yard, you can still participate, but please record only the species you can identify.

Confusing species

Please be sure you can distinguish between similar species such as the Purple Finch and House Finch, the Chipping Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow, and the Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk. A current field guide can help, and we have provided a quick reference guide to help tell them apart. Note that House Finches are more common than Purple Finches. Also, please be sure to send descriptive details of any Chipping Sparrow or Cooper's Hawk sightings.

Survey results

The survey reports are computerized over the spring and summer with final interpretation in the fall. All participants receive a copy of the results with next year's forms when they are mailed in January. The results will also be posted on the web site as soon as they are compiled.

How to submit your results

Please fill out the form completely, and mail it to ASNH at the address on the form. Remember to fill in your mailing address and zip code to ensure that you are on the survey mailing list for next year, and so that you will receive the results of this year's survey. It is also important that you record the location of your observations, especially if your mailing address is different from that location.

Please be sure to include your name.

Thanks for your help and support!