On 17 Feb 2002, Oceras at aol.com wrote:

> I was interested in adding my 2? to the backyard bird count but have
> found the experience very frustrating. Frankly, I don't really know
> what I'm doing. I have a number of feeders in a smallish back yard and
> probably have about 25 to 30 siskins coming to the feeders at times,
> but they (and the house finches and the house sparrows ...) keep
> flitting in and out of the trees and bushes. They just can't be
> counted one at a time. So, the numbers I come up with can only be
> estimates. Is there a trick I'm missing? Are estimates what everyone
> gives? Help! Steve Aronoff Bellingham

Counting birds when they are moving fast or all bunched up can be a
challenge. Welcome to the club ;-)

There's a number of ways to deal with these kind of situations, but
none are going to be absolutely accurate. And any of them will take
practice.

First, in any circumstance, there is no substitute for repetition so
as to check yourself. Of course, if you are with other people, have
everyone count silently and then compare. Keep at it until y'all
close in on something resembling a consensus.

Birds in motion, as at a feeder, are still a challenge for me even
after all the years I've been at it. Especially when they're coming
and going in two or three directions at once. First, though, focus on
one species at a time. And you're right: don't try to count
individual birds. Count the little groups: 5 n 3 n 2 n 6 and we got
16 that moment. Write it down. And keep doing it. Don't feel that any
one quick count must be accurate. Let your repetitions tell you what
the number most likely is.

Massed birds are another stinker. Unless they are a wholly
indistinguishable mass, they can still be counted. Maybe not
accurately but you can still get close. For mixed flocks, a common
situation with rafted waterfowl, a useful approach is to get as best
a count as you can for the entire group by repetition. By now you'll
be ready to closely estimate the percentage of each species in the
group: Mallard 20%, Wigeon 20%, Coot 40%, Pintail 10%, Bufflehead 10%
-- and now you can calculate the species' numbers with fair accuracy.
Not absolutely accurate, but better than an uninformed "estimate."

Practice counting the same flock by 10s or 20s or 50s and see how
close you come with each repetition. Where the flock density is
uniform, take the time to actually count the birds in one bino or
scope view, and then tally the number of 'views' across the entire
flock. That times your detailed count is the census. Repeat it to
check yourself based on a detailed sample count from a different part
of the flock.

It's not impossible. It just requires dedication and practice. In
time it comes easier.

But do not simply surrender to an "estimate." That's just a $5 word
for a guess.

Any one else?


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Douglas Canning
Olympia, Washington
dcanning at nisquallyestuary.org
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