SusanTwidle

Susan Twidle Howell High School Farmingdale N.J.
 * BIRD SLEUTH : Summer Bird Investigation : Establishing a New Bird Feeder- What is the best Height?**


 * INTRODUCTION:** I live on a small (30 ‘ by 60’) suburban property in a coastal town (10 blocks from the ocean). I have noticed numerous songbirds in my neighborhood (American Robins, Mourning Doves, House Sparrows, House Finches, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, European Starlings, Black-capped Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Mockingbirds, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and the occasional warbler). I have never had a bird feeder before because I thought the size of my lot and lack of habitat would keep it from being successful. **In this investigation, I will compare the ability of new feeders, set at different heights above the ground, to attract a greater number and type of bird species.** The feeders will be set up by my front porch, near a holly tree by my driveway. Cover is provided by flowering plants, a dogwood tree, juniper bushes and water from a newly installed glass bird bath. There is also a neglected swimming pool on the lot next to me, (separated by a 6 foot fence) that is full of algae and one vocal bullfrog.

My hypothesis is that the feeder set at a height of 5 feet above the ground will attract and maintain a greater number and type of birds. After doing some research on the Project Feeder Watch pages, I selected small Nut Silos and stocked both feeders with black oil sunflower seeds. Observations will be made at 6 am, noon and 6 pm for approximately 20-30 minutes, during which time I will record the number and type of species and visitors that come to the feeder areas.

10 lbs black oil sunflower seeds 2 –Nut Silo bird feeders approximately 10 inches long 1-High pole approximately 5 feet above ground 1- Arm to fix other feeder at ground level 1- Bag of Squirrel away powder (capsaicin) 1 -12 inch glass bird bath ( to supply water) 1- Field Guide to the Birds East of the Rocky Mountains-Peterson 1- Digital Camera
 * Materials:**

1.I filled two nut silo feeders with black oil sunflower seeds (about 3 cups). 2.I placed one feeder at a height of 5 feet and the other on the ground but supported by a hanging metal arm. 3. I made observations of which species and how many birds visited the feeders at 6 am, noon and 6 pm for about 20-30 minutes. I counted the total number of observed feeding events on each feeder by species. 4. I measured the amount of sunflower seeds put into each feeder at the beginning of the study ( 3 cups). As the feeders were emptied I recorded how much additional seed was added to each feeder. 5. I also recorded basic weather conditions and local events (garbage truck arrival, 4th of July parade noise, etc.) that might impact the study. 6. I had to add //Squirrel Away// powder to the lower feeder after 6 days as a few squirrels seemed to dominate that feeder and I was not getting any bird sightings.
 * METHODS**

I will create a table listing the date, time of day, number of birds, number of species, temperature and an other column for unusual conditions. I will count number and type of birds that both eat at the feeder and visit the area, as well as squirrels, cats and other unexpected 'guests' For example:
 * Data**

feeder || Number of birds/ squirrels || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || feeder || Number of birds/ squirrels || 1 sq || 0 || 1 bird || 2 sq || 0 || 0 || 1 sq || 0 || 0 || feeder || Number of birds/ squirrels || 2 sq 1 bird || 0 || 2 bird || 3 sq. 3 dove || 1 bird || 0 || 1 dove || n/a || 0 || feeder || Number of birds/ squirrels || 1 sq || 1 bird || 0 ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || Photo 1. On the last day an acrobatic squirrel Photo 2- Feeder setup. began feeding at the top feeder.
 * RAW DATA TABLE- Daily Observations**
 * **Time of Day** ||  || **6 am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** ||
 * **Date** ||  || **6/29** || **6/29** || **6/29** || **6/30** || **6/30** || **6/30** || **7/1** || **7/1** || **7/1** ||
 * Bottom
 * || Number of species || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||
 * Top Feeder || Number of birds || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 3 ||
 * || Number of species || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 ||
 * **Time of Day** ||  || **6 am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** ||
 * **Date** ||  || **7/2** * || **7/2** || **7/2** || **7/3** || **7/3** || **7/3** || **7/4** || 7/4 || **7/4** ||
 * Bottom
 * || Number of species || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 ||
 * Top Feeder || Number of birds || 9 || 3 || 4 || 10 || 2 || 4 || 12 || 0 || 2 ||
 * || Number of species || 3 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 1 ||
 * **Time of Day** ||  || **6 am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** ||
 * **Date** ||  || **7/5*** || **7/5** || **7/5** || **7/6** || **7/6** || **7/6** || **7/7** || **7/7** || **7/7** ||
 * Bottom
 * || Number of species || 2 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 ||  || 0 ||
 * Top Feeder || Number of birds || 30 || 3 || 10 || 23 || 9 || 1 || 18 || n/a || 4 ||
 * || Number of species || 3 || 1 || 4 || 2 || 2 || 1 || 2 ||  || 2 ||
 * **Time of Day** ||  || **6 am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** || **6am** || **noon** || **6pm** ||
 * **Date** ||  || **7/8** || **7/8** || **7/8** ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Bottom
 * || Number of species || 1 || 1 || 0 ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Top Feeder || Number of birds || 10 || 6 || 20 ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * || Number of species || 2 || 2 || 2 ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||

SUMMATIVE DATA TABLE- Top vs. Bottom Feeder**
 * * Garbage truck arrives at 6:30 am


 * DATE || Top Feeder- # birds || Number of species || Number of squirrels || Bottom Feeder- # birds || Number of species || Number of squirrels ||
 * 29-Jun || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||
 * 30-Jun || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||
 * 1-Jul || 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||
 * 2-Jul || 16 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
 * 3-Jul || 16 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 ||
 * 4-Jul || 14 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 ||
 * 5-Jul || 41 || 3 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 2 ||
 * 6-Jul || 37 || 3 || 0 || 4 || 2 || 3 ||
 * 7-Jul || 22 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 ||
 * 8-Jul || 38 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||


 * Variables:**
 * Independent-** height of the feeders
 * Dependent -** number and type of birds observed
 * Control-** type of feeder, type of seed, basic location

It took 2 1/2 days for birds to notice the presence of the upper feeder and make their first visit. It took the squirrels 3 days. Squirrels were found only on the bottom feeder until the last day of the study when one was observed hanging on and feeding from the top feeder (despite the bottom feeder still holding seed). The primary avian visitors to the top feeder were the House Sparrow and House Finch. Female finches look like sparrows‍ if one looks quickly. ‍ The greatest number of birds were seen on day 7 and 8. The total number of birds observed at the top feeder was 187, representing 4 different species. The total number seen at the bottom feeder was 10, representing 3 species. The greatest variety were seen by day 5. Mourning Doves tended to eat from the ground below the feeders, not directly from the feeders.‍ 8 ‍cups of seed were put into the top feeder over the study time and 5 cups were put in to the bottom feeder. The squirrel away powder made no observable impact on the presence and feeding of the squirrels on the bottom feeder. Robins, a cardinal, and two starlings also visited the area but did not feed. No predators (cats, hawks) were observed. A Fourth of July parade occurred a few blocks from my home, leading to a quiet day on the feeder on that day. I could not make observations at noon on Saturday, July 7th.
 * RESULTS:**

The top feeder maintained a greater number and variety of species of birds as evidenced by the daily counts and the quantity of seed eaten. I conclude that songbirds prefer feeders set above the ground for easy access and safety. A new feeder in an area should be established at least five feet above the ground in order to attract songbirds. Ground feeders are not as visible and tend to attract squirrel pests. Areas for further study would include adding specialty feeders like those for hummingbirds and/or suet feeders, varying the type of food to establish preference and testing whether the Squirrel Away is effective. Finally, I question if the height of the feeder was indeed the variable that influenced feeding preference, or was it the presence of numerous squirrels on the bottom feeder ?
 * Conclusion:**

1. "//What to feed birds",// Project FeederWatch; [] 2. //"Safe Feeding Environment";//Project FeederWatch; [] 3. "//Feeder Placement and Landscaping";//Project FeederWatch; [] 4.//"Feeder Types";// Project FeederWatch; [] 5. "//Hanging A New Bird Feeder";//http://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/the_zen_birdfeeder/2011/03/hanging-new-birdfeeder 6. //"Attracting Backyard Birds: Bird Feeder Slection";// Emma V. Wilcox, Mark E. Hostetler, Martin B. Main and Maena Voight; April 2011; [] 7. "//Bird Notes: Creating a Garden for Birds";//Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Number 13 Catalog No. 223, 2003 8. The National Birdfeeding Society Website []
 * References :**