I decided to implement a haphazard or subjective sampling strategy as I specifically want to look at bird diversity and abundance in two locations of my backyard that have different types of fruit trees (pear, peach and two varieties of plum). I started collecting data in the two areas of my yard that have the fruit trees, to see which trees attract more birds. I have not particularly had any difficulties collecting data, but the number of birds are lower than expected at the moment and from my recollections of bird abundance in previous years. I recall last year at this time, there would be up to 20 birds in one tree at a time, but during my sampling sessions, I only observed a few birds at a time.
I don’t think I will modify my approach, but I may try to sample at different times of the day, such as in the afternoon, to see if that makes a difference. Also, I think that as the fruit in the trees continues to ripen, the number of bird species visiting the trees will increase.