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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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