Project Feeder Watch – A Great Winter Hobby
Posted by Donna Bessken | Under Sports and Recreation Wednesday Feb 10, 2010Get yourself involved with Project Feeder Watch to engage with the birds and wildlife right in your neighborhood. There is no reason to give up the joys of birdwatching when it is cold and wintery.
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 started with one nature center and is now an international event. What a dramatic and simple technique to bring the average person into authentic and valuable scientific research. FeederWatch does effectively monitor the activities of many winter bird populations.
Project FeederWatch is managed by Cornell University Ornithology Lab in partnership with Bird Studies-Canada, the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Society and has many contributing members and partners beyond their borders. Members pay a small fee to participate in the annual count. CU Lab members pay $12. Canadian participants pay $35. The fees include materials, staff support, data analysis and an annual report of results.
What do Feederwatch participants really do? Watch and count birds that come in to their feeders. Every participant identifies the specific place where they will be observing to avoid duplication. In addition, birders report only the highest number of individuals that seen in view at one time. That prevents a lot of repetition and duplication.
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.
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.
You can become a proactive birdwatcher.Local bird counts are often fun and engaging. Learn to identify birds quickly with Donna Bessken\’s BirdWatching ECourse. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.
