By Lucy Cairns, Compiler of the Reading CBC.
For CBC data to be useful, the rules for both counting birds and
reporting ‘effort’ data must be followed exactly.
CBC Feeder Count – A Guide
by Lucy Cairns
Compiler of the Reading CBC
Birds at feeders are likely to be missed by CBC observers out ‘in the field,’ so feeder counts add valuable data to the effort. The rules for doing a CBC feeder count are not the same as those for
other feeder watch projects, and must be followed exactly.
The minimum feeder watchers need
to know: ·
Participants must register in advance with the compiler of their circle, providing their email
address and the street address where their feeders are located.
Your feeders must be located within the boundaries of a CBC count circle.
·
Count birds only on the count day.
·
For each species, report the maximum number of individuals present at ONE TIME during
your counting period. This is to avoid double-counting. So, if you have 12 House finches present
at one time and 20 present at a different time, report 20 and not 32.
·
You can include birds heard but not seen if you are confident of the ID.
(Do NOT rely on
Merlin Sound ID alone!)
See Use of Merlin birding app
on CBCs elsewhere on this page.
·
Include only birds using your feeder (which can include hawks coming to your yard in hopes
of catching a feeder bird). Do not include birds outside your yard or just flying over.
·
You can count for any amount of time, and for multiple periods during the day. Add up your time
and submit a single checklist.
If you stop focusing on your feeder for more than a couple of
minutes, subtract that time from your total.
· Your report can be sent to your compiler by either using the Audubon CBC checklist form
provided by the compiler
or
by sharing an eBird list with the compiler. Be sure to include your total time spent counting, rounded to the nearest quarter-hour. You can put this info in the comments section of your eBird checklist.