Over the past week, I have visited several popular birding areas near Columbia, Missouri, and, except for massive flocks of blackbirds east of the city, the number and variety of observed species have been exceptionally small. Indeed, on a limited tour of Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, a friend and I saw only seven species, a new low at that magnificent refuge.
Where are the birds? Are we killing them off? We have certainly made a sincere effort to deplete their natural habitat. Of course, the number and variety of birds does decrease during winter across Northern and Central latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere) and episodes of severe weather may reduce their activity (though recent conditions have been rather seasonable).
The likely explanation for my modest observations is the behavior of birds during winter. They tend to move about in large feeding groups, consisting of multiple species. If a birder is in the wrong place at the wrong time, few birds will be seen; on the other hand, should he/she encounter the feeding groups, the field trip is far more "successful." Fortunately, most birders enjoy the "hunt" as much as the discoveries and there will always be other opportunities.
