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 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. Project FeederWatch is survey of birds that frequent feeders at backyards and nature centers in North America throughout the winter months. The observations made by these volunteer birdwatchers contributes to genuine scientific research about bird distribution and abundance.
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.
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 running for 21 weeks starting with the second Saturday in November. So it ends in early April. February is the latest you can sign up to participate in each year’s count. Additional bird counts of interest and merit 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. Get involved with local bird counts. Learn to identify birds quickly with Donna Bessken’s BirdWatching ECourse. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service