Idol Worship and Bird Count Results

I knew that when John Katopodis became involved with Larry Langford's computer distribution program the name Ryan Idol would come up. Those of you who might barely remember this man let me tweak your memory with just two words: Idol Worship. OK, now you remember. If that doesn't ring a bell...forget it.

But let's not dwell there. The Great Backyard Bird Count has concluded and all the results are not in. But from the results as of now, it looks like more Bessemer residents participated than last year. So far 20 lists have been submitted, up from 12 last year, and 47 species reported, with 1,136 birds counted. The most common birds in Bessemer appear to be the red winged blackbird and common grackle, followed closely by the American goldfinch.

Birmingham jumped from 118 lists in 2007 to 193 this year, and Hoover and Vestavia both went from one list each to 7 and 5, respectively this year. Fultondale dropped from 171 lists to 27 this year. What happened there? Lipscomb dropped from one list to none this year. But remember, all the lists may not have been reported yet (hint hint). I may report on this one more time after the time for submitting lists is up.

My most unusual sightings for an urban area (not really unusual, but not everyday) were a red tailed hawk and a turkey vulture. Robins were common here, mostly I think because there is water (in the fountain and on the spa cover) that the robins congregate around. Those who have water know this. They will just sit in water and get "big" for minutes at a time, even when it is cold. Our fountain is three tiered and there will sometimes be two sitting in the top tier, three or four in the middle, and four or more around the edges of the deeper basin. Could robins be the intermediate between land birds and ducks? Just a thought (as MS says, "Just a thought"). And just kidding about the evolutionary link.

I give Michaelangelo Signorile credit for "just a thought" because I don't want to be accused of plagiarism like Obama was. My two cents? Obama's use of the phrases he used are no big deal. But I think others may think differently and it may cost him. We will just have to wait and see.

Biostats is calling.