It’s not too late to join Cornell University Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. FeederWatchers periodically count the highest numbers of each species they see at their feeders from November through April. The longest running of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology citizen-science projects, FeederWatch helps scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.
Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with the National Audubon Society, Bird Studies Canada, and Canadian Nature Federation. Anyone with an interest in birds can participate! FeederWatch is conducted by people of all skill levels and backgrounds, including children, families, individuals, classrooms, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers, and bird clubs.
All you need to do is count birds—any birds that appear in your count site because of something (commercial suet or seed, water, or natural foods) that you provided. For each species, report only the highest number of individuals that you saw in view at one time. By following this procedure, you are certain to avoid counting the same bird more than once. After each count, you'll report your bird counts to scientists at the Lab of Ornithology, who use your data to conduct bird population research.
The survey is conducted each winter from November through early April. This year the season started on November 11. You may join at any time of year, however, and start receiving the quarterly issues of the Birdscope newsletter. Participants receive their materials in November.
If you have a feeder, you can participate in Project FeederWatch. There is a $15 fee ($12 when you join the Cornell Lab) to help offset the costs of running this important project. You'll receive a Research Kit and the Lab's quarterly newsletter, Birdscope. Your kit, which arrives each November, contains instructions, a bird identification poster, a wall calendar, a resource guide to bird feeding, and data forms—everything you need to start counting your birds. You provide the feeder and seed.
How much time does it take? It's up to you! Select your own bird-count days once every two weeks. Count during all or part of those days.
FeederWatch results are regularly published in scientific journals and are shared with ornithologists and bird lovers nationwide. The results are available online.
You may sign up by mail. Send a check payable in U.S. dollars to:
Project FeederWatch
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
P.O. Box 11
Ithaca NY 14851-0011
Credit card users may sign up through their website or by phone: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/v http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/InstruxandUpdates/inst_index.html
1-800-843-2473 (New U.S. participants only, please)
In Canada call 1-888-448-2473
As a FeederWatcher, you will learn more about winter birds and how their populations are faring. You'll also be happy to contribute to the science and conservation of North American feeder birds.
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