Join Cornell's 2006-2007 Project FeederWatch
11-17-2006 - For 20 years The Cornell Lab. of Ornithology, and thousands of people accross the USA and Canada have joined together in Project FeederWatch to count and document birds at their feeders over the winter months.
Add your backyard data to this research, and use CJ Wildlife Feeders and Food to help grow your flock...
Click here to join Project FeederWatch
 What is 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 early April. 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.
Who can participate?
Anyone with an interest in birds! 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.
What will I do?
Count birds that appear in your count site because of something that you provided (commercial or natural food, or water). 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. You'll report your bird counts to scientists at the Lab of Ornithology, either over our web site or on paper Data Forms.
Does it cost money?
There is a $15 annual participation fee ($12 for Lab members, CAN$35 for Canadian participants) that covers your materials and newsletter subscription, staff support, web design, and data analysis. Project FeederWatch is supported almost entirely by participation fees. Without the support of our participants, this project wouldn't be possible.
What will I get?
U.S. participants receive a Research Kit and the Lab's quarterly newsletter, Birdscope. Canadian participants will receive a research kit and Bird Studies Canada's quarterly publication, BirdWatch Canada. Your kit, which arrives in November (or 3 weeks after you signup when you signup during the FeederWatch season) 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(s) and seed.
Where do I count the birds?
Anywhere that you can consistently observe throughout your count days. Choose obvious boundaries, such as the border of your yard or the area within a courtyard.
When does the season start?
Our survey is conducted each winter from November through early April. You may join at any time of year and start receiving the quarterly issues of the newsletter. The last day to sign up for any given season is Feb. 28. On Mar. 1 we begin taking sign-ups for the following season. Kits are shipped in the fall or, if you sign up during the season, about 3 weeks after you sign up.
How much time does it take?
It's up to you! Select your own bird-count days--two consecutive days once every two weeks (or every week if you enter data online and you choose to count that often). Count during all or part of those days.
Why should I participate?
FeederWatch results are regularly published in scientific journals and are shared with ornithologists and bird lovers nationwide.
As a FeederWatcher, you will learn more about winter birds and how their populations are faring. You'll also contribute to the science and conservation of North American feeder birds.
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