Greetings, While it is fun and interesting to note trends and ob Greetings, While it is fun and interesting to note trends and observations in local areas, on national basis, Breeding Bird Atlas, Breeding Bird Survey and CBC data show a decreasing numbers generally across the board. Audubon states that even of the common birds, 80% are in decline. Haans, and I here in Florida, are doing one of the Breeding Bird Survey (in my case, the Atlas),and we see our area's anecdotal information. The data on a large scale can put out more accurate statistical analysis due to the larger sample sizes, and the news isn't good. Most of us don't want to get into a discussion of the "why's" on the listserv and anybody can write to me personally if they would like, but a simple "fact" is that it is impossible to add 80 million + people each year to the planet and do that by retaining animal habitat. The numbers will continue to decline and extinctions will gradually increase since habitat is being destroyed on a continual basis. This is not my opinion but that of the best science out there. I encourage everyone to get involved if they have an interest in Breeding Bird Atlas or Breeding Bird Survey. Your input helps science, and like Haans here has shown, it is fun and interesting to participate in and note your local observations, notwithstanding the negative facts of the long term trends. Bob Stalnaker Longwood, FL On Monday, June 23, 2014 8:39 AM, Haans Petruschke <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Hi, This year marks the 10th running I have been doing some kind of breeding bird survey around Kirtland. Since we use the OBBA upgrade protocol I do not track actual numbers of individuals observed except in a related study of Louisiana Waterthrush. None the less after a decade of systematic study and a lifetime of casual observation you do get a feel for such things. Also my training and experience makes me very aware of normal random variation and how rare variation due to special causes actually is. The Kirtland area has thousands of acres of mature forests and consequently my observations are mostly of birds that breed in such habitat. These are mostly observations about migrant species with 1 or 2 exceptions. So in no particular order: Dark-eyed Junco- Not abundant this year. While common in appropriate habitat, they are not everywhere in that habitat as in the past few years. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Bose-grested Rosbeak) These are the predominant species in my yard this season. In years past it has been the aforementioned Juncos, but this year it is the Rosbeak. In other areas I have not seen a similar abundance and would say numbers are very similar to other years Wood Thrush- A very good year for this species. We are finding them not only wherever there is complete canopy, but also near edges Louisiana Waterthush- Higher numbers being found in both stream beds and side runs. Confirmed nests in 2 locations. Yellow-throated Vireo- Unprecedented numbers this late in June. We often find them into early June, but this year we are finding them in low densities everywhere, and they are continuing. Often cited as an indicator species of unfragmented forest, I have often wondered why they are not more prevalent here given our abundance of that habitat. Blue-headed Vireo- Not as many as in past years Winter Wren- Numbers are down. Rare nesting species show high levels of variation to the observer because presence or absence is easily detectable. So while in previous years we might find 10 plus territories in ~4000 acres of forest, this year we are only finding 2 or 3 and only 1 confirmed nest. Black-throated Green Warbler- Another species who's numbers are down in our area. Black-throated Blue Warbler- Absent for a 2nd year running after a run of 6 years in the same location with multiple territories. Acadian Flycatcher - Steady numbers with little variation year to year. Eastern Pheobe - Numbers seem down from other years. Eastern Wood Pewee - No noticeable change from other years Veery - While never common as a breeding species they are few and far between this year. Ovenbird - For the past 10 years we have found this species in very small numbers in relation to what I remember in previous decades. This year numbers continue to be very low. Only 1 probable nester. Hooded Warbler - Numbers withing the expected observed range. Barred Owl- Obvious breeding success in multiple locations. My own observation is that Barred Owls are found in a density of about 1 breeding pair per 100 acres. Given the longevity of this species it is not surprising they are also social and the numbers of non breeding individuals is far higher than breeding pairs. Purple Finch - Fewer than in previous years. Not as obvious. Orchard Oriole - While not a forest interior species it is my observation that numbers have been increasing over the past decade. Yesterday we found fledged young and adults carrying food in a 5 acre area withing a few minutes of each other. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Far fewer than in past years. Red-Shouldered Hawk - Numbers continue to be very low Red-tailed Hawk - Multiple nests, more than in past years Indigo Bunting - Uncommon this year in our area. Those are the species that come to mind. We have roughly 100 species known to have nested in the immediate area, so this is by no means intended to be a comprehensive report, but rather a highlight. Haans ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. 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