I've been trying to keep up with a morning feeder count. Unfortunately the results are all skewed because my attempts tend to coincide with the arrival of a hungry accipiter or two or perhaps a buteo. By the time I get bins and listing device in hand the birds are under cover and I need to leave for work.
Today I got a late start after school. I could hear the siskins as I walked home. There was(probably still is) a sharpshin sitting in a tree a couple houses away. There were still a few birds to count, but the siskins all got nervous and took wing in a flock, wheeling overhead several times before heading off to the west. My quick estimate was about 65 plus another two stil in a tree.
Someone had mentioned to me that a few on the feeder had been discovered to be many unseen at another place. So it is just an illusion that they eat all day. I have been seeing many, as suspected.
Steve Huy
Frederick, MD (Clover Hill, north side of town)
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