Project Feeder Watch – Citizens’ Birdwatching Research
Birds are outdoors no matter what the weather is. So you can watch them from the comfort of your home be participating with Project Feeder Watch to engage with the birds and wildlife right in your neighborhood.
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 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.
This partnership with Cornell University Ornithology Lab and Bird-Studies Canada, the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Society has far reaching impact. The nominal registration fee covers materials, staff support, analysis of data and an annual report of results in professional publications. Project Feederwatch is a remarkable citizen response to a real research need, all for a fee of only $12 in the US and $35 in Canada.
What do participants actually do? Watch birds coming in to their feeders. Each bird watcher identifies the site where they will be counting birds. To prevent duplication and confusing results, you report only the highest number of individuals that you see in view at one time. That prevents a lot of repetition and duplication.
The season for Project FeederWatch 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.
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.
Be a proactive birder. Local bird counts are often fun and engaging. Learn to identify birds quickly with Donna Bessken’s BirdWatching ECourse. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory
Tags: bird counts, bird feeders, bird identification, bird studies, bird watching, project feeder watch, project feederwatch, scientific bird counts, Sports, winter bird watching, winter recreation