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Post by Steve Backes on Feb 17, 2012 7:45:32 GMT -5
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is this weekend, Friday through Monday, 2/17 - 2/20. www.birdsource.org/gbbc/Since most of us are not in a Christmas Bird Count circle (CBC), this is the best way to get our wintering hummingbirds counted in an "official" way. The count is for all birds observed but my emphasis is that if you don't have the ability to count all birds, at least submit a list of the hummingbirds. They "question" any report of a hummingbird because they are thought to be "uncommon" in our area. Hopefully, our reports will eventually change this thinking. You'll be asked to confirm your report of any uncommon sightings and then there may be a delay in the posting of the count as it is reviewed by a moderator. This seems like an inconvenience but it does insure relatively accurate results. Submit reports on any or all of the days of the count but try not to count the same bird more than once. Then, follow the counts from your area by clicking on "explore the Results" and then choosing State Tallies or Detailed Reports. gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/report?cmd=showReport&reportName=StateSummary&state=US-FLThanks, Steve |
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Post by karenp on Feb 18, 2012 11:44:40 GMT -5
I had no idea hummers were about in Florida so early in the year!. I'll get my feeder out today. I was on the porch nearly all day yesterday and though the birds at the seed feeders were numerous, I didn't see any hummers.
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Post by marthaloul on Feb 18, 2012 15:48:45 GMT -5
I would participate but I have one question.
How can you tell one female from another female or one male from another?
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Post by Steve Backes on Feb 18, 2012 22:18:53 GMT -5
karenp, hummingbirds are possible anywhere in the state throughout the year.
marthaloul, They do look alike but there are often minor details that will allow you to identify different birds. Sometimes its a slight color difference or some missing feathers (very possible as they are currently molting) but you may also notice differing habits of birds or preferences for feeding areas. I learn their favorite perches so that I can count many of them with one pass through the yard.
In a lot of cases with counting birds, you report the most seen at one time. With this count lasting 4 days, you can add to counts if you see a larger number at another time or day but you would not report the same bird every day. I saw one Rufous Hummingbird, one Black-chinned Hummingbird and three Ruby-throateds in my yard this morning. I did not see two of the regular Ruby-throateds. If I see them tomorrow or Monday, I'll submit a second report that will just include those two birds.
Steve
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Post by marthaloul on Feb 19, 2012 14:18:14 GMT -5
Thanks Steve.
I had wondered if the color variation I noticed was because it was a different bird of the way the sun shown on its back. Since I wrote yesterday I have been careful to notice color variations and patterns. I think I have identified 3 separate birds. Its good to have confirmation from a more experienced person that I am actually seeing different birds. Thanks so much!
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Post by moboston on Feb 22, 2012 10:43:22 GMT -5
Just saw on the reports for GBBC that Lakeland and Mulberry tied for the most Ruby-throated reported so far with 16 each. Mulberry's 16 came from 3 checklists while Lakeland's came from 8, I think. I know I had 3 on one day and reported 2 on one day and 1 the other two days. Of course they didn't count all of them, guess they assumed I was reporting the same ones each day and only raised the count by 1 when I saw the 3.
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Post by Joe M on Feb 22, 2012 16:21:01 GMT -5
I only report the greatest number of any species I see in my yard on any day to avoid "over counting". Although it appears GBBC doesn't mind if one decides to report on any of the count days, it may yield to a misleading result. I remember a couple of years back when I had my Allens hummingbird and noted that there were two reports of an Allens in Lakeland. Highly unlikely!
From GBBC guide to reporting.
"Write down only the highest number of each species you see together at any one time to avoid counting the same birds more than once. For example, if you see 8 cardinals as you start your count period, then later you see 12, and later still you see 3, you’ll only report 12--the highest number you saw together at once. Please do not add the numbers together."
Joe M.
Lakeland
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Post by moboston on Feb 25, 2012 20:21:20 GMT -5
Appears now that Lakeland had 19 hummers reported from 10 checklists.
Also was the most reported in any of the cities in the state.
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Post by Joe M on Feb 26, 2012 11:59:14 GMT -5
Mulberry had 3 checklists and 16 Ruby's And 1 Rufous. Wish I knew who the active Hummingbirders' in Mulbery were?
Joe M.
Lakeland
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Post by moboston on Feb 26, 2012 20:48:53 GMT -5
I don't know and I didn't notice the report of a Rufous. I wonder if Martha from this forum reports for Mulberry?
BTW, just got an email requesting verification of3 hummers on the 19th from the GBBC. Lucky I have pics of each that show the difference.
Buzz, the immature male that Fred banded showed up that day, as well as the female I have had and an adult male.
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Post by marthaloul on Feb 28, 2012 12:23:47 GMT -5
I'm in South Lakeland off Ewell. Poley Creek runs through my backyard.
I didn't send in my counts however - I have seen 2 females at once and a male. They are finally learning that there are enough feeders out that they can each have one. If they ever share the same feeder I'll be really impressed.
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