Downy Woodpecker (left) and Hairy Woodpecker (right) | Photo: Derek Spencer
Press Release
December 1, 2025 – Port Rowan, ON
When the world outside grows quiet and cold, many Canadians find warmth in the company of birds. Every winter, tens of thousands come together through Project FeederWatch, a beloved bird monitoring program started by Birds Canada. Running now through April 30, 2026, FeederWatch invites people to slow down, notice the birds around them, and share what they see, creating a detailed picture of how our birds are faring in the winter months.
Now in its 39th season, Project FeederWatch has become more than a way to track bird populations. It’s a way for people to connect – with nature, with each other, and with the simple joy of observing life in their own backyards. Participants count the birds that visit their feeders or yards and record what they see online or in the FeederWatch app. But for many, the experience becomes something deeper: a weekly ritual that brings comfort, curiosity, and community through the dark winter months.
“Project FeederWatch isn’t just about counting birds, it’s about noticing them,” says Olivia Carvalho, Birds Canada’s Project FeederWatch Coordinator. “When people begin to recognize the chickadees that come every morning or the finches that arrive with the snow, they’re building a relationship with nature right outside their window. That awareness can be grounding and also spark a deeper connection with wildlife, especially during winter.”
Participants often say FeederWatch gives them something to look forward to. Some share the experience with their children or grandchildren; others find it helps them stay connected to nature when the world feels grey. “Seeing birds near our house brings me immense joy,” says José Sigouin, a FeederWatcher from Toronto, ON. “Learning to recognize their quirks fascinates me. Taking part in a much larger project, where data and observation enrich our communal knowledge, is the cherry on the cake!”
Whether you have a feeder, a balcony, or simply a view of the trees outside, you can take part. All that’s needed is curiosity, and perhaps a cup of tea to keep you company as you watch the small dramas unfold: a nuthatch darting in before a blue jay, a flock of waxwings landing in a nearby tree, or the first signs of spring migration as the season turns.
“Project FeederWatch is a great way to learn your backyard birds, you don’t need to be an expert to participate,” adds Carvalho. “Every count tells a story, and every story connects us to birds, to science, and to each other.”
Registration is open now through Birds Canada. Participants receive access to online tools and resources to help identify and record their visitors, plus updates and stories from fellow FeederWatchers across North America.
Join the count at feederwatch.org and discover what’s waiting just outside your window.
About Project FeederWatch Project FeederWatch is a joint initiative of Birds Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, supported by Wild Birds Unlimited and Armstrong Bird Food. For 39 years, the program has united thousands of people in a shared appreciation of birds and contributed to what is now one of the longest-running bird monitoring programs in the world.
About Birds Canada Birds Canada is a national charity dedicated to bird conservation. Our mission is to drive action to increase the understanding, appreciation and conservation of birds in Canada.
Associated Links
Media Contact:
Olivia Carvalho
Canadian FeederWatch Coordinator
Birds Canada
ocarvalho@birdscanada.org
(519) 586-3531 ext. 307
