Project FeederWatch: Winter Bird Highlights 2021-2022

The Cornell Lab or Ornithology recently published their 2021-22 Winter Bird Highlights, based on data collected during the last FeederWatch season.  The 5 most common species in the Northeast were Chickadees (Carolina and Black capped combined), Dark-eyed junco, Downy woodpecker, Northern cardinal, and Blue jay.  Chipping sparrows are becoming more abundant in the Northeast during the winter.  Because they are a more warm-adapted species than many common feeder birds in the Northeast, they may be tracking climate change and becoming more abundant as temperatures warm.  There are also articles on the Northern flicker, competitive behavior among birds at bird feeders, and a short overview of American Beautyberry, a native bird-friendly plant.  Read more here