Project Feeder Watch – Citizens\’ Birdwatching Research
When it is too cold and blustery for you to travel to the wilds, you do not have to forego the pleasures of birdwatching. Get yourself involved with Project Feeder Watch to engage with the birds and wildlife right in your neighborhood.
FeederWatchers count the birds they see at their feeders during specific 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. Project FeederWatch is survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, etc. in North America in the winter months. Because of the large amounts of data gathered by volunteer citizens, scientists can now see long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance for many species.
It is a simple and creative way for the everyday citizen to participate in genuine scientific research of value. Project FeederWatch effectively monitors the distribution and abundance of many winter bird species.
Cornell University Ornithology Lab manages Project FeederWatch in partnership with Bird Studies-Canada, the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Society and has many contributing members and partners beyond their borders. The nominal registration fee in the US is $12 and in Canada is $35. It is amazing what those small fees can accomplish. The fees include materials, staff support, data analysis and an annual report of results.
So what do these birdwatcher actually do? It is barely more than watching birds that come to their bird feeders. Every bird watcher participant claims the site where they will be observing and counting birds. This minimizes duplication of efforts. Each time a birder counts and observes only the highest number of bird species are counted. That also reduces confusion.
When does this happen? For the past 13 years, Project FeederWatch has been starting on the the second Saturday in November. The project continues for 21 weeks into early April. Additional bird counts of interest and merit include the Christmas Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count. After February it is too late to register for this year\’s count, but not too early to register for next year.
This is a terrific time for birdwatchers to hone their bird identification skills. You get to pay attention to details up close and often. You count birds two days in a row every two weeks as a minimum. Many birdwatchers count once a week and report their data online.
Today there are more than 15,000 birdwatchers in the Project FeederWatch program, but it started out with just 500 members in Ontario in the mid-1970s. During the first year of its international scope there were 4000 birdwatchers reporting from Canada to Hawaii. The resources provided are ideal for teachers and bird lovers. Their identification materials and newsletters are exemplary.
You can become a proactive birdwatcher.Local bird counts are often fun and engaging. Identify birds rapidly birds quickly with Donna Bessken\’s BirdWatching ECourse. Don\’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
