If you think you have a grasp on estimating numbers, then I dare you to estimate the number of Tree Swallows in my photos, here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/avocetfm/albums/72157658283822659 Good birding, Frank Mantlik Stratford

Just in time for Christmas Bird Count season, David Sibley is offering a course on Estimating Numbers. CBCers, hawkwatchers, shorebird and waterfowl counters, and Starling-counters will all find this helpful. https://www.sibleyguides.com/courses/estimating-numbers/ Frank Mantlik Stratford Sent from my iPhone

Estimating numbers of birds in a flock accurately is a true art, and takes much experience and practice. As an exercise in this pursuit, please go to David Sibley's Quiz: http://www.sibleyguides.com/2012/08/estimating-numbers/ One can practice further on one's own by scattering lentils, coffee beans, etc. on a table and guessing the total.

There was some discussion a couple of weeks ago about the CAS State of the Birds report article that cited estimated cerulean warbler numbers.

Hi all-- I'm writing an article about estimating crowd sizes and I want to make reference to what we know about the accuracy (or inaccuracy) with which the typical human (or birder) estimates the size of bird flocks.

Even if the basic estimates are good, the margins of error can be large so must be calculated so that one knows how much faith to put in an estimate. 

Greetings,Just in time for Christmas Bird Counts, David Sibley has posted an exercise in estimating (bird) numbers on his website.  Have fun. http://www.sibleybirds.com/w/index.php?title=Sibley_Birds Frank MantlikStratford

Here is a link to an excellent lesson (part 1 of 2) on estimating numbers: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/bird-counting-101 Like anything else, this skill can be improved with practice. Frank Mantlik Stratford

Steve Ballentine _____ From: Chasbarnard@aol.com [mailto:Chasbarnard@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 1:17 PM To: List Subject: Re: [CT Birds] CT birds- annual estimated arrival date list?

-----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org]On Behalf Of greg hanisek Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 1:09 PM To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Subject: Re: [CT Birds] CT birds- annual estimated arrival date list?