Photo Credit: Jeff Sokal on iNaturalist
As snow and colder temperatures become more frequent and the lack of daylight becomes more noticeable, we begin to observe the quiet stillness that winter brings. Forests get quieter, insect activity subsides, and bird calls and song decrease drastically. As a way to observe and connect with nature, many people like to set up bird feeders. Watching the birds with a cup of tea in hand can be quite entertaining as well as educational. According to Vermont Fish & Wildlife “Birds don’t generally need food from backyard feeders to survive, but the activity is a great way to interact with nature and if done properly, won’t harm bird populations.”
If you do like to feed and watch the birds during the winter, an exciting opportunity that combines citizen science and setting up seasonal bird feeders is Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a collaborative research project organized by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada with origins dating back to the 1970s. These organizations, along with the National Audubon Society, organize another exciting citizen science opportunity, the Great Backyard Bird Count, that takes place in February and spans a shorter time frame.
Data collection for Project FeederWatch takes place between November and April. Participants record counts of birds and bird species they observe at their watch site. Having a bird feeder is not required to participate in this program, as birds can be seen in any habitats that have vegetation, water, or natural food sources that may attract them. The schedule is flexible, and the program is open to any skill level, including children, nature groups, bird clubs, and anyone interested in learning more about birds. A $18 participation fee grants you identification information, access to end of year data summaries, as well as other optional materials like calendars and full-sized posters that can aid in identification. Funding for the project relies heavily on this participation fee and makes a big difference for bird conservation and knowledge. The Project FeederWatch website provides access to a vast array of information including interactive activities, resources on bird diseases, creating gardens that birds will love, detailed instructions on how to participate, and photo galleries of participant observations.
The website also provides an excellent downloadable handbook with information on types of bird feeders and seed preferences as well as data to collect and how it should be submitted. The data that is recorded from the over 20,000 participants plays a significant role in monitoring abundance and distribution of winter birds and their overall populations. The program is a great opportunity to learn more about the birds in your area while also contributing to important scientific data. Click HERE to visit the Project FeederWatch website where you can learn more about the program and sign up to participate.
Important considerations, especially with the unseasonable winter we have experienced so far: VT Fish & Wildlife suggests that if you choose to feed birds on your property, this activity should only take place between December 1st and March 31st. Even during this suggested time frame, it is best to wait until there is continuous snow and below freezing temperatures for an extended period. Hibernation is greatly impacted by seasonal weather changes. Bears wait to hibernate, wake up during warm spells, or wake up a month or two earlier than expected if the temperature is warmer than usual. As many folks know, bears are attracted to the contents of bird feeders. This can have serious implications for humans and bears alike. Fish & Wildlife explains that even bringing in bird feeders at night does not solve this issue, as bears can still find seeds that have spilled on the ground below the feeders. Feeding bears is also illegal and can cause serious consequences and behavioral patterns for the bear. Regular maintenance and cleaning of your feeder is essential to preventing the spread of avian disease and to discouraging mold growth. Otherwise, bird feeders become more harmful than helpful for the birds and their continued survival. Click HERE to learn more about the suggestions from VT Fish & Wildlife on bird feeder etiquette.