Get yourself involved with Project Feeder Watch to engage with the birds and wildlife right in your neighborhood. There is no reason to give up the joys of birdwatching when it is cold and wintery.
Project FeederWatch is survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, etc. in North America during the winter months. FeederWatchers count the birds they see at their feeders during the specified winter months and report their sightings to Project FeederWatch. The data from these many observers is very helpful for scientists who are tracking overall movements of winter bird populations. It is now possible to see some long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance for many species.
It started with one nature center and is now an international event. What a dramatic and simple technique to bring the average person into authentic and valuable scientific research. FeederWatch does effectively monitor the activities of many winter bird populations.
Project FeederWatch is managed by Cornell University Ornithology Lab in partnership with Bird Studies-Canada, the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Society and has many contributing members and partners beyond their borders. Members pay a small fee to participate in the annual count. CU Lab members pay $12. Canadian participants pay $35. The fees include materials, staff support, data analysis and an annual report of results.
What do Feederwatch participants really do? Watch and count birds that come in to their feeders. Every participant identifies the specific place where they will be observing to avoid duplication. In addition, birders report only the highest number of individuals that seen in view at one time. That prevents a lot of repetition and duplication.
The season for begins in November on the second Saturday. It continues for 21 weeks all the way into early April. You can still register as late as February for this year’s count. This program is been running for 13 years. Additional bird counts of special interest include the Christmas Count and the Great Backyard Birding Count.
Serious birdwatchers use this program to really focus on improving bird identification skills. Actually, that is also true for the beginning birder. Observing birds often and up close really helps you see very specific characteristics. Many birdwatchers count once a week and report their data online. The minimum commitment is to count birds two days in a row every two weeks.
When Project FeederWatch was first starting out in Canada, in the mid-1970s, there were 500 members in the Ontario region. After the broader partnerships began, the first year of the international scope there were 4000 birdwatchers reporting from Canada to Hawaii. Today there are more than 15,000 birdwatchers participating in the program. The resources provided are ideal for teachers and bird lovers. Their identification materials and newsletters are exemplary and accurate science well presented.
Be a proactive birder. Local bird counts are often fun and engaging. Learn to identify birds quickly with Donna Bessken’s .
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