FeederWatch is a proven project for monitoring the distribution and abundance of winter bird populations, and joining the FeederWatch community is fun, educational, and rewarding. Join tens of thousands of people as they watch, learn, and contribute observations about birds from November to April. You choose the location, when to count, and how long you observe – you can count every week, or just once this winter if that's your choice. Your observations provide unique insights into the lives of wintering birds, which helps biologists monitor species abundance and distribution over time.
For 40 years, Project FeederWatch has been engaging birders to observe birds that visit yards, community areas, nature centers, school yards, and other locations anywhere in the United States and Canada. FeederWatch is conducted by people of all skill levels and backgrounds, including individuals, children and families, classrooms, youth groups, nature centers, birding clubs, Audubon chapters, refuge personnel – everyone is welcome to participate! While most people focus on identifying and counting the birds that come to feeding stations, you can choose any area where you like to observe birds regularly. Plus, the schedule is completely flexible.
Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, and there is an annual participation fee of $18 for US residents, and Canadians can participate by donating any amount to Birds Canada. Project FeederWatch would not be possible without the support of participants – scientifically and financially. FeederWatch's fees cover website and database maintenance, data analysis, printing and shipping project materials, and disseminating information learned from FeederWatch data.
When you join FeederWatch you will receive a number of tools to track and learn about your birds on the website or mobile app. Plus, you receive a double-sided poster of Eastern and Western birds that commonly visit feeding stations, plus the year-end summary publication: Winter Bird Highlights, and digital access to the Cornell Lab's Living Bird magazine for US participants. The learn more and to joint today, see Homepage - Project FeederWatch. And if you Join by this Friday, October 23, you will receive the new poster celebrating finches and native plants that finches prefer.
Share your backyard birding experiences and photos with The Birding Wire at editorstbw2@gmail.com