[wisb] Re: Counting ducks
- From: "Peter A. Fissel" <pfissel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: judith@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:46:10 -0600
I do variations on "grid counts", depending on the size and density of
the flock. If the flock is of a relatively even density throughout,
I'll count ten birds on one end or the other, then double that area and
keep doubling. Alternately, for very large flocks, I may try to
estimate how much area 50 birds are occupying and count by fifties (or
double the original fifty and count by hundreds - you get the idea.) If
the flock is rather unevenly distributed, I may count different parts of
it using different methods to arrive at a total estimate.
This can sound complicated or intimidating if you've never done it
before, but it really does become second nature - I often find myself
automatically counting a flock of geese or gulls flying over me when I'm
waiting for the bus, etc.
Peter Fissel
Madison WI
Judith Huf wrote:
> With the Christmas Count coming up, I am interested in Bernie's estimating
> method and any other methods that people have of estimating numbers of ducks
> out in the water. Any tips?
>
> Judith Huf
> Milwaukee County
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "B.G. Sloan" <bgsloan2@xxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 2:14 PM
> To: "wisbirdn" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [wisb] Counting ducks
>
>> I spent some time out in the raw wind on Milwaukee's Bradford Beach today,
>> practicing my duck counting skills. I walked the length of the beach
>> several times, and spent some time on the upper deck of the Bradford Beach
>> snack bar for a different vantage point.
>>
>> I'm thinking the raft of ducks was thick enough so that there were easily
>> 5 ducks per linear foot. The raft was maybe 800 feet long, for a total of
>> 4,000 ducks.
>>
>> This made me rethink my duck count from Monday. Monday's raft of ducks was
>> longer (maybe 1500 feet) and thicker. Conservatively keeping the
>> 5-ducks-per-linear-foot measure gives me a count of 7,500 ducks on Monday.
>>
>> I guess my question is: Do these numbers seem unreasonably high?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Bernie Sloan
>> Milwaukee
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
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