Who knew we all could be scientists?
Project FeederWatch offers the opportunity for anyone with a backyard bird feeder to provide a goldmine of information about birds and contribute to research.
Every year from now to April, thousands of FeederWatchers count the kinds and numbers of birds at their feeders, then submit their observations to Bird Studies Canada.
This data helps scientists study winter bird populations.
"Bird feeding is a fast growing hobby," explains Kerrie Wilcox, Canadian Co-ordinator of Project FeederWatch. "People can get data from their backyard and contribute to bird research."
Project FeederWatch is a joint program of Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
It started off as the Ontario Bird Feeder Survey but after 10 years Bird Studies Canada partnered with Cornell University to track bird movements across North America.
Project FeederWatch results have helped scientists learn about changes in bird distribution and abundance over time and the spread of disease throughout bird populations.
Researchers also learn about the kinds of habitats and foods that attract birds.
Participants choose how much time to spend on the project, select their own count period and count for as little as 15 minutes per session--or as long as you want.
To take part you must be a member of Bird Studies Canada for a fee of $35.
Project FeederWatch participants receive a full-colour bird poster and calendar, a FeederWatch Handbook and Instruction Book, access to the data entry portion of the FeederWatch website, and the chance to contribute to a continent-wide bird research project.
Each year there are more than 20,000 FeederWatchers across the continent including homegrown citizen scientists right here in Barrie.
"We get a wide range of participants from a number of classrooms, families and seniors," said Wilcox.
For more information visit www.birdscanada.org/pfw or call Bird Studies Canada toll-free at 1-888-448-2473
