Have others noted changes in bird occurrences and/or densities in their areas? In the 14 years I have lived here in the northern Sierra Foothills, very little increase in human population densities have occurred yet bird numbers and species have drastically changed. Yes...we're in a drought but the changes were happening well before that manifested itself. Western kingbirds, phainopeplas, quail, tree and cliff swallows, common when I moved here are virtually gone. This winter I had pine siskins, Steller's jays and a couple times, evening grosbeaks at my feeders for the first time. American goldfinches are now very rare but lesser goldfinches have increased dramatically. In the State Park across the canyon one could find turkeys (not native...introduced) every morning in several flocks. I rarely see or hear any in the past 5 years. I find lots of literature on sea bird population declines but not much on the more common resident populations.
[font=Helvetica, sans-serif]“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” MLK[/font]
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