[Birdtalk] Counting Birds

[MarJean Muhlestein]

It would be nice to put some of the techniques on this bird line. I know for 
one, I would be interested in learning what is done. Presently I'm in 
Alaska, and will be back in time for all of the Eagles to come in. We were 
surprized today as we were out driving around trying to spot some 
White-winged Crossbills, to see a male Red-breasted Merganzer floating on 
the River all alone. We both thought that he got kind of lazy not to leave! 
It's been -48 here and certainly not his kind of weather. I'm enjoying the 
many Redpolls both Common and Hoary, Boreal Chickadees, & Black-capped that 
come into here feeder daily. I can hardly wait to come back here in the 
Spring. At any rate, please put the counting information out there for us.

MarJean M.


>From: "jbloft" <jbloft at netzero.net>
>To: "Tim Avery" <tanager at timaverybirding.com>,        "Bird Talk" 
><birdtalk at utahbirds.org>
>Subject: Re: [Birdtalk] Counting Birds
>Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:43:43 -0700
>
>Thanks to all for the info on bird counting techniques.
>
>The other day I was in Hyrum and went down by the old Tri Miller feed lot. 
>I couldn't believe the number of starlings in the area.   In the one spot 
>when they were spooked the sky turned black.  My problem of counting 150 or 
>so birds of  8 species at home seemed simple when compared to attempting to 
>count those starlings.
>
>There was one bunch in a tree and I tried to count them, came up with about 
>500.  When they flew I got a visual of the size of the flock of about 500. 
>Then when I saw other flocks flying I said that is twice as many or 5 time 
>as many.  Just judging by my visual impression of the flock of 500 I came 
>up to 5500 starlings for the count.   Nothing scientific about it, but it 
>is as good as I could do.
>
>Oh well, I could have just said a Gazillion starlings.
>
>Great Birding
>
>Jim
>
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