Select Page

Report them to Project FeederWatch
PIGR001
13 October 2015 – When thousands of people in communities across Canada count the birds at their feeders and report their tallies to Birds Canada, the result is a goldmine of information, which scientists analyse to draw a picture of winter bird abundance and distribution. With each season, Project FeederWatch increases in importance as a unique tool for monitoring more than 100 species of bird that winter in North America. Now in its 39th season in Canada (and 29th season as a North America-wide program), FeederWatch needs observations from your backyard.
FeederWatchers in Canada were pleased to have more bird activity at their feeders during the winter of 2014-15 after record low numbers during the extremely harsh winter of 2013-14. On average, FeederWatch participants reported 46 individual birds per week; this is below the long-term average of 51 birds per week, but up from last year’s low of 42. Will there be lots of birds at feeders in 2015-16? Join FeederWatch and tell us how many are in your yard!
Kerrie Wilcox, the Canadian coordinator of Project FeederWatch, noted: “We learn so much from the data people report to us. Project FeederWatch results have helped scientists learn about changes in bird distribution and abundance over time; expansions and contractions in winter ranges; the spread of disease through bird populations; and the kinds of habitats and foods that attract birds.”
Wilcox says that Project FeederWatch is always on the lookout for new participants. Participants choose how much time to spend on the project. They select their own count period, and count for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on count days. Sightings are entered online at www.birdscanada.org/pfw or reported on paper data forms. Project FeederWatch is a joint project of Birds Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Each year, there are more than 20,000 FeederWatchers across the continent.
For more information about Project FeederWatch, please visit our website or contact the coordinator at 1-888-448-2473 or pfw@birdscanada.org. In the United States, please call 1-800-843-2473.
Birds Canada is pleased to welcome Armstrong Bird Food as a national sponsor of Project FeederWatch in Canada. Our new partnership aims to inspire more Canadians to discover the fun of FeederWatch and the importance of Citizen Science.
Birds Canada is Canada’s leading national charitable organization dedicated to bird science and conservation.
Media Contact
Kerrie Wilcox, Canadian Coordinator
Project FeederWatch
Birds Canada
Tel. 519-586-3531 ext. 134 or 1-888-448-2473
kwilcox@birdscanada.org
In the U.S., contact Emma Greig, 607-254-2148, eig9@cornell.edu
Notes to Editor:
If running a story on Project FeederWatch, please mention that a $35 fee applies.
Contact the Project FeederWatch Coordinator to set up an interview with a local participant.
Photos are available on request.
Project FeederWatch is a joint project of Birds Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
There are four ways to register for Project FeederWatch in Canada:
• Fill out the online form at www.birdscanada.org/pfw
• Email pfw@birdscanada.org
• Write to: P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0 (enclose a $35 cheque payable to Birds Canada)
• Call Birds Canada toll-free at 1-888-448-2473

Stay in touch with Birds Canada

Copy link
Powered by Social Snap