I've been reading with interest, everyone's posts about what was in
their yards last winter as compared to this one.

I'll add the following (totally non-scientific) winter observations
from this little suburban paradise, mere walking distance from where
Navy plays Football and oh yes, where Maryland's laws are made in
really special sessions!

Last year, West Annapolis was a ROBIN roost.  The numbers were well
above 2,000 every night.  One night of counting, the roost appeared to
near 3,500.
I took photos of a few trees, and did complete counts and multiplied
that by the number of trees in the area, then I divided by the square
root of... oh, I'm only kidding.  But I did spend a lot of time out
there counting.
The birds would begin to appear at 4:30-5PM and simply over-crowd what
relatively small numbers of tall trees we have in our community.
This year, we are getting maybe 150-300, depending on the night.

Last year, my 1/8th of acre yard was loaded with WHITE THROATED
SPARROWS. Okay, by loaded I mean somewhere between 8 and 12 birds
daily.
This year, it's been 3 to 4, at the very most.

Last year, several visits by flocks of GRACKLES, BROWN HEADED COWBIRDS
and STARLINGS.
This year, fifty or so STARLINGS, on rare occasions. (I'm not complaining.)
The GRACKLES have typically arrived in this part of town in April for
the past two years.

Last year, 10 or more HOUSE FINCHES.
This year, since November... 0!  (I suspect the COOPERS  has something
to do with it!)

Last year, almost no CEDAR WAXWINGS.
This year, flocks ranging from 50-250 are making regular appearances.

Last year, 2 SONG SPARROWS.
This year, (since the early fall) 0.  (I suspect they moved out before
the housing market slowed.)

Last year, 20 ore more HOSP.
This year, 21 or more HOSP.

TV, BV, CHICKADEE, TITMOUSE, CARDINAL, BLUE JAY, WBNH, JUNCO, DOWNY
AND RED-BELLIED numbers are about the same, while AMERICAN CROW'S have
had a slight surge here in this suburban paradise. In the fall, we do
well with AMERICAN GOLDFINCH (my yard has very little grass and very
many coneflowers).  Once winter arrives, we'll see one, maybe two on
rare occasions.

And, don't even get me started on the PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS.
Nada! Zip! Zilch!
O fer... oh ferget it.

Good (Yard) Birding,

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD

http://wahzoh.blogspot.com/