The Great Backyard Bird Count 2012 Tallies

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Location: The Family Homestead, total of 13 acres
A mix of decidous woods, wetlands, suburban backyards, small pond and stream.

Birds observed through the course of about five hours:
Mallard - 2
Turkey Vulture - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Mourning Dove - 12
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker - 1
Blue Jay - 2
Black-capped Chickadee - 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
European Starling - 1
Dark-eyed Junco - 9
Northern Cardinal - 3
House Finch - 4
 House Sparrow - 12

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Location: John Chanda Park, Stratford, CT
A large pond, deciduous woods, ball field and playground.

Birds observed in 15 minutes time:
Canada Goose - 53
Mallard - 3
American Robin - 1

Monday, February 20, 2012
Location 1: at the backyard feeders:

Birds observed in 15 minutes time:
Mourning Dove - 6
Dark-eyed Junco - 3
House Sparrow - 2

Location 2: Dunkin Donuts parking lot outside Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Milford, CT

Birds observed in 5 minutes:
Herring Gull - 12

Location 3: Woodmont Beach, Milford, CT
A beach along Long Island Sound

Birds observed in 30 minutes:
Herring Gull - 75
Rock Pigeon - 4
Monk Parakeet - 4

Location 4: Silver Sands State Park, Milford, CT
A beach with marshlands along Long Island Sound


Birds observed in one hour (not all species recorded):
Mallard - 2
duck sp. - 11
Herring Gull - 18

Location 5: back home in front yard:

Birds observed flying overhead:
10 Monk Parakeets

I really enjoyed participating in this count. I am a bit disappointed that my "regulars" didn't show up at the feeders or down at the pond. I so wanted to include them in the count to let the Cornell folks know about the variety of birds that frequent the Family Homestead.