When it is too cold and blustery for you to travel to the wilds, you do not have to forego the pleasures of birdwatching. Get yourself involved with Project Feeder Watch to engage with the birds and wildlife right in your neighborhood.

FeederWatchers count the birds they see at their feeders during the specified winter months and report their sightings to Project FeederWatch. The data from these many observers is very helpful for scientists who are tracking overall movements of winter bird populations. Project FeederWatch is survey of birds that frequent feeders at backyards and nature centers in North America throughout the winter months. The observations made by these volunteer birdwatchers contributes to genuine scientific research about bird distribution and abundance.

It is a simple and creative way for the everyday citizen to participate in genuine scientific research of value. Project FeederWatch effectively monitors the distribution and abundance of many winter bird species.

This partnership with Cornell University Ornithology Lab and Bird-Studies Canada, the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Society has far reaching impact. The nominal registration fee covers materials, staff support, analysis of data and an annual report of results in professional publications. Project Feederwatch is a remarkable citizen response to a real research need, all for a fee of only $12 in the US and $35 in Canada.

What do Feederwatch participants really do? Watch and count birds that come in to their feeders. Every participant identifies the specific place where they will be observing to avoid duplication. In addition, birders report only the highest number of individuals that seen in view at one time. That prevents a lot of repetition and duplication.

When does this happen? For the past 13 years, Project FeederWatch has been running for 21 weeks starting with the second Saturday in November. So it ends in early April. February is the latest you can sign up to participate in each year’s count. Additional bird counts of interest and merit include the Christmas Count and the Great Backyard Birding Count.

The serious birdwatcher can use this program to really focus on improving bird identification skills. Actually, that is also true for the beginning birder. By observing often and up close you notice different traits and behaviors of birds. You count birds two days in a row every two weeks as a minimum. Many birdwatchers count once a week and report their data online.

Today there are more than 15,000 birdwatchers in the Project FeederWatch program, but it started out with just 500 members in Ontario in the mid-1970s. During the first year of its international scope there were 4000 birdwatchers reporting from Canada to Hawaii. The resources provided are ideal for teachers and bird lovers. Their identification materials and newsletters are exemplary.

You can become a proactive birdwatcher.Local bird counts are often fun and engaging. Identify birds rapidly birds quickly with Donna Bessken’s BirdWatching ECourse. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.