Project FeederWatch, sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. Participates periodically count the birds they see at their feeders through early April and send their counts to Project FeederWatch. The data help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.
Anyone interested in birds can participate. FeederWatch is conducted by people of all skill levels. Participants watch their feeders as much or as little as they want over two consecutive days as often as every week. They count birds that appear in their count site because of something that they provided (plantings, food, or water).
There is a $15 annual participation fee for U.S. residents ($12 for Cornell Lab members). Canadians can participate by joining Bird Studies Canada for CAN$35. The participation fee covers materials, staff support, web design, data analysis, and a year-end report (Winter Bird Highlights). Project FeederWatch is supported almost entirely by participation fees. Without the support of our participants, this project wouldn’t be possible.
Happy Birding!
J.J.
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