1NorthernStar
Does anyone else participate? I got a reminder today that the new season starts November 13.
For those not familiar with it, Project Feederwatch is a collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada. Participants record which birds come to their feeders between November and March (or April, the last two years). You report weekly, on the two days of the week of your choice. There is no penalty for missing a day or week, and you don't have to watch all day. You just report which days and for how long, and the maximum number of each species that visited over the two days. You also don't have to record your counts right away - I use a notebook, and sometimes put in several weeks at once. There is also a smartphone app you can use now.
I'm going to be starting my eighth season this year, and have really enjoyed it and learned a lot about the birds that visit here in winter. As far as I know it is only in North America, I don't know if there is anything similar elsewhere.
You also don't need to be an expert birder to do this. I guarantee you will be a better one after you start, though. One good thing is that the birds come to you, and if you don't have time to look them up, you may be able to get a picture to help with the ID.
I don't keep my feeders up year-round because they can attract bears, so I am always excited to get the feeders back up and see what shows up. (Even if it is mostly the same species every year)
For those not familiar with it, Project Feederwatch is a collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada. Participants record which birds come to their feeders between November and March (or April, the last two years). You report weekly, on the two days of the week of your choice. There is no penalty for missing a day or week, and you don't have to watch all day. You just report which days and for how long, and the maximum number of each species that visited over the two days. You also don't have to record your counts right away - I use a notebook, and sometimes put in several weeks at once. There is also a smartphone app you can use now.
I'm going to be starting my eighth season this year, and have really enjoyed it and learned a lot about the birds that visit here in winter. As far as I know it is only in North America, I don't know if there is anything similar elsewhere.
You also don't need to be an expert birder to do this. I guarantee you will be a better one after you start, though. One good thing is that the birds come to you, and if you don't have time to look them up, you may be able to get a picture to help with the ID.
I don't keep my feeders up year-round because they can attract bears, so I am always excited to get the feeders back up and see what shows up. (Even if it is mostly the same species every year)
2Tess_W
I wish I could, but hubby says no feeders! We have a terrible time with critters such such as chipmunks, squirrels and raccoons destroying our property. We have had to trap and kill several this summer--they destroyed my garden, digging up plants by the roots. So I will enjoy your stories!
3NorthernStar
>2 Tess_W: I have squirrel problems, but they (mostly) hibernate in the winter, so I'm usually OK. The deer are the worst, though. I use cord and pulleys to hang my feeders about 3 metres off the ground to keep the deer from emptying or wrecking them.
4Tess_W
>3 NorthernStar: the rodents do not hibernate where I live, although they do slow down their foraging!
5NorthernStar
>4 Tess_W: There are advantages to living in a cold climate!
6qebo
>1 NorthernStar: I did Project FeederWatch for several years at a previous house in the city, where I had feeders on a balcony. Then I moved just a bit outside the city and set up feeders on a deck, but saw far fewer birds. Not because there were fewer birds (I hear birds in the trees), but I suspect because the birds had more options and the deck was too exposed to hawks. I've since added more cover and may try again.
7Tess_W
I read in the news that the ruby throated hummingbirds will be returning to my area (Central Ohio) April 30-May 1. Going to put up my feeders in the next couple of days to be sure they are one of the first seen! Also going to try my hand at oranges and/or grape jam to try to attract Baltimore Orioles who are supposed to be in this area, but I have not seen for years.
