Been feeding ruby throats in central NY for years. I usually have 6 or 8 feeders going, spread out around my house, close to nearby stands of thickly planted spruce & pines, with lots of secondary forest growth and farmlands nearby. This year, I moved five feeders closer together, on the corners of an 8'x8' flower bed, hung on some shepherds hooks.
This newer, 'close proximity' thing has resulted in about 18 - 20 birds at the feeders at times, (as close as I can count them, anyways - it's difficult to get them to sit still). Question is -- with the constant comings and goings, if I can actually SEE 18 to 20 birds at one time, is it possible to judge how many are actually in the area? Is their a magic formula available to figure it out? Just wondering. Ruby throats here usually arrive about May 7th, - the last ones I saw were on Sept. 21 this year. Thanks for any input.
This newer, 'close proximity' thing has resulted in about 18 - 20 birds at the feeders at times, (as close as I can count them, anyways - it's difficult to get them to sit still). Question is -- with the constant comings and goings, if I can actually SEE 18 to 20 birds at one time, is it possible to judge how many are actually in the area? Is their a magic formula available to figure it out? Just wondering. Ruby throats here usually arrive about May 7th, - the last ones I saw were on Sept. 21 this year. Thanks for any input.