[RP TownTalk] backyard birds

[Sarah Wayland]

This FAQ (
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/FAQsBirdFeeding.htm#Where_birds
) says:

" Where did all the birds go?

While it is impossible for us to know the cause of each local increase and
decline, there are several common causes for bird population fluctuations.

   - Habitat changes affect bird populations. If there has been a change in
   your neighborhood, such as trees being cut down or new houses being built,
   that could be the reason you are seeing a decrease in birds.
   - Natural food supplies--such as cones, berries, seeds, and
   insects--fluctuate from year to year, causing birds to shift ranges to take
   advantage of food surpluses or to compensate for food shortages.
   - Weather patterns often cause birds to shift ranges, especially in
   winter.
   - Birds of prey sometimes move into an area causing the local birds to
   feed elsewhere until the predator moves on.

Bird populations normally fluctuate from one season to the next and from
one year to the next. Sometimes, however, there are significant, long-term
changes in the numbers of particular birds in certain areas. To learn about
such long-term trends, visit the Exploring Data portion of this web site."

By the way, I love this website, and if you are inclined to participate in
being a Citizen Scientist, you can participate in "Project Feeder Watch".
Learn more here: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/Overview/over_index.html

Or you can just enjoy the birds. :-)

-Sarah

>
>

-- 
.....................................................................................................
Sarah Wayland   |   www.GuidingExceptionalParents.com
Supporting students with learning differences and their families
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://riverdale-park.org/pipermail/towntalk/attachments/20130317/d837f88b/attachment.html>