Hi, Here in my small part of the state (~41.5 N x 81.3 W) the numbers of American Golden Finches is average. Keep in mind that populations have random variation, and this is normal. It takes considerable analysis to determine if there is a special or assignable cause to any change which goes far beyond anecdotal observation. Regression based analysis (T tests and similar tools) usually consider far too limited a data set and do not look at variation around the mean in a way that determines if variation is normal and random or due to a special (outside) cause. This is not to say that anecdotal observation is not important. If multiple observers across a wide area report similar conditions these can be indicative of a wider and more significant phenomena. Haans ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]