Local bird lovers invited to count birds for Project FeederWatch
Joyce Sankey is a citizen scientist.
The Niagara Falls woman has been participating in Project FeederWatch for the past 10 years.
The program, hosted by Birds Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in New York, gives bird lovers an opportunity to turn their backyard bird sightings into critical research for conservation.
“It is gratifying knowing that something you enjoy doing also benefits the scientists who are tracking bird species distribution and abundance over time,” Sankey said.
“And, on a dark winter morning, watching birds is a wonderful way to brighten your spirits.”
The requirements of the FeederWatch program — it runs Nov. 14 to April 9 — are relatively simple: feed the birds, count the birds, enter your data online or through the Project FeederWatch app.
Participants make periodic two-day counts from November through April. They can spend as much or as little time as they like collecting the data.
“We enjoy watching the birds and observing their behaviour,” said Sankey, who has been a member of the Niagara Falls Nature Club for the past 20 years.
“In our first years of participating, we would get out the bird guides to identify the species. We learned a great deal about the species of birds and what to feed them.
“It is interesting to see what species are plentiful each year.”
This year, she’s noticed an increase in the number of redbellied woodpeckers and redbreasted nuthatches in her neighbourhood.
Organizers say staying close to home because of COVID-19 restrictions has fuelled a tremendous surge in birdwatching.
“With so many of us spending more time at home, this is the perfect time to give Project FeederWatch a try,” said Kerrie Wilcox of Birds Canada.
“There’s no minimum commitment and we’ll send you everything you need to help identify your birds.”
For further information, visit birdscanada.org/feederwatch, or call 1-888-448-2473. A donation to Birds Canada is required to participate.
The more people who participate, Wilcox said, the clearer the picture of both bird populations and environmental health.
“The data shows us how our resident winter bird populations are faring and the winter movements of birds across North America,” she said.
Birds Canada operates scientific programs across the country, as well as international research programs. The work is supported by more than 60,000 citizen science volunteers.