Evening Grosbeaks at bird feeder
Project Feeder Watch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit bird feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locations in North America. It is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada.
Feeder Watchers periodically count the birds they see at their feeders from November through early April and send their counts to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Project FeederWatch.
FeederWatch data help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. As a Feeder Watcher, you will learn more about winter birds and how their populations are faring.
The survey is conducted each winter starting on the second Saturday of November and running for 21 weeks, through the first Friday of April. You may join at any time of year. The last day to sign up for any given season is Feb. 28 or 29. On Mar. 1 we begin taking sign-ups for the following season. Research Kits are shipped in the fall or, if you sign up during the season, about 2 weeks after you sign up.
Who can participate and what are the activities?
Winter 2008-09 FeederWatch Highlights
Anyone with an interest in birds can participate. 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.
Participants select their 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). Participants count during all or part of those days.
Birds are counted because of something that the participant has provided (plantings, food, or water). For each species, you will report only the highest number of individuals that you see in view at one time. By following this procedure, you are certain to avoid counting the same bird more than once. You will report your bird counts to scientists at the Lab of Ornithology either over our web site or on paper data forms.
You designate an area that you can consistently observe throughout your count days. Participants are advised to choose obvious boundaries, such as the border of a yard or the area within a courtyard.
What materials does Project Feeder Watch provide and what are the costs?
Materials from Project FeederWatch
There is a $15 annual participation fee ($12 for Lab members, CAN$35 for Canadian participants), which covers materials, staff support, web design, data analysis, and a year-end report (Winter Bird Highlights) . Project FeederWatch is supported almost entirely by these fees, and without participant support, this project wouldn’t be possible.
Participants receive a Research Kit which contains instructions, a bird identification poster, a wall calendar, a resource guide to bird feeding, and a tally sheet—everything you need to start counting your birds. U.S. participants receive a subscription to the Lab of Ornithology’s newsletter, BirdScope. Canadian participants, receive Bird Studies Canada’s quarterly publication, BirdWatch Canada. Kits are shipped in the fall (or about 2 weeks after you signup when you signup during the FeederWatch season). You provide the feeder(s) and seed.
To sign up, or for more information please visit Project Feeder Watch. Also, for more information about Project FeederWatch and for Participant Instructions, please view the videos below.
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