Ithaca, NY—It's time to shine the spotlight on backyard birds with the return of the BirdSpotter photo contest, sponsored by Droll Yankees and hosted online by the Project FeederWatch citizen-science project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Anyone can enter and have a chance to win weekly prizes.

Each Wednesday, from November 11 through February 17, a new BirdSpotter photo theme will be posted on the contest website, such as "birds in flight" or "birds with food." Entrants may upload one entry per week and vote for their favorites among the other entries. Each week's "People's Choice" and "Judges' Choice" winners will be announced the following Monday morning. Weekly winners receive Droll Yankees bird feeders and accessories and other gifts. Last season's participants say they really enjoyed the contest.

"I am very excited...and humbled, as I know there were lots of great photos!" said weekly winner Deb Winter from South Carolina.

Ashley Versluis of Arkansas, another weekly winner from last season, commented, "I have so enjoyed looking through the entries for all of the weekly challenges...Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this fun and educational competition."

Voting for the overall top three photos from among all the weekly winners begins February 24. The grand prize winner receives a $300 gift certificate from Droll Yankees along with other great prizes, including a framed bird print by artist Charlie Harper.

Last season's grand prize winner was Diane Marshman from New Milford, Pennsylvania. She won with her image of a brilliant male Baltimore Oriole. "I think the Baltimore Oriole is one of the most beautiful birds and I try attracting them to the yard with different food," Diane says.

Explore all of last year's winners.

See full contest rules and the list of prizes on the contest website.

2014 BirdSpotter Grand Prize Winner:

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Project FeederWatch is a winter-long citizen-science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. FeederWatchers report their feeder visitors and help scientists learn more about backyard birds. Visit FeederWatch.org to learn more.

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Contact: Pat Leonard, (607) 254-2137, pel27@cornell.edu