Feb
6
Project Feeder Watch – Citizen Birdwatchers’ Research
February 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment
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.
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.
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.
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.
Project FeederWatch has grown since its 1970’s origins with 500 members in Ontario. Now the materials they provide are excellent resources for teachers and bird lovers alike. The first year of the international scope had 4000 birdwatchers reporting from Canada to Hawaii. Now, there are more than 15,000 birdwatchers with the program.
Be a proactive birder. Get involved with local bird counts. Learn to identify birds quickly with Donna Bessken’s BirdWatching ECourse.
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