Announcement from Cornell LAb of Ornithology - in case some Minnesota birders might be interested. This is bird science accessible to us all.
Jim Williams, Wayzata BIRD WATCHERS NEEDED FOR PROJECT FEEDERWATCH In the next few months large numbers of redpolls, crossbills, grosbeaks, nuthatches and siskins are predicted to move south into the lower 48 states= . Will the predicted movements occur, and will these nomads of the bird world visit your feeders this winter? You can help scientists learn more about these species and other winter bird populations by joining more than 16,000 people from across the United States and Canada in counting birds for Project FeederWatch. If you are already a Project FeederWatch participant, thank you for contributing to the success of the project! If you are not a FeederWatcher, please read on =8A Last February, the data you collected for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) provided scientists with a "snapshot" view of bird abundance and distribution. Throughout last winter, Project FeederWatch was gathering information to provide a more comprehensive view of backyard bird populations. Like the GBBC, FeederWatch counts are submitted to scientists who use the data to examine trends in bird populations. Participants count the birds at their feeders as often as every week from November through early April. Participants then submit counts either on paper forms or over the Internet. We invite you to contribute to our understanding of winter bird populations by joining your fellow bird watchers in Project FeederWatch. WHY IS FEEDERWATCH IMPORTANT? FeederWatch data provide a detailed picture o= f weekly changes in the distribution and abundance of birds across the continent. Long-term monitoring programs, such as FeederWatch, are importan= t for identifying changes in bird populations and for targeting research and conservation efforts. FeederWatch data are currently being analyzed to gaug= e the impact of West Nile virus on wild birds. Please help monitor the health of winter bird populations by joining us in the 17th season of Project FeederWatch. Learn more about the project at <www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw, where you can see maps, trend graphs, and other results generated from FeederWatch data. WHAT DO I RECEIVE FOR PARTICIPATING? FeederWatchers receive a Research Kit that includes: * the FeederWatch Handbook, our guide to feeding birds; * a full-color identification poster of common feeder birds (both Eastern and Western, painted by renowned artist Larry McQueen); * a 14-month calendar featuring photographs taken by FeederWatch participants last season; * instructions on how to participate; and * paper data forms and/or access to our online data entry system. In addition, participants receive a subscription to the newsletter of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (U.S.) or Bird Studies Canada (Canada). HOW DO I JOIN? There is a $15 annual participation fee ($12 for members of the Lab of Ornithology, CAN$25 for Canadian participants) that covers your materials and newsletter subscription, staff support, web site support, and data analysis. If you are currently participating in FeederWatch, thank you= ! Please do not renew your participation until we send you a renewal notice. U.S. Residents: 1. Visit <http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw and sign up over our secure server. OR 2. Call (800) 843-2473 (BIRD) OR 3. Send a check made payable to Project FeederWatch to: Project FeederWatch / GBBC P.O. Box 11 Ithaca, New York 14851-0011 Project FeederWatch is a joint research and education project of the Cornel= l Lab of Ornithology, Bird Studies Canada, Audubon, and the Canadian Nature Federation. Thank you and Good Birding, David Bonter Leader, Project FeederWatch (U.S.) Project FeederWatch 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 254-242= 7 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw
