As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Researchers need help studying bird populations


Here's your chance to be a citizen-scientist. 

The 26th season of Project Feeder Watch begins Nov. 10; more birdwatchers are needed to make it a success.

By watching birds at their feeders from November through April and submitting their observations to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, volunteers make it possible for scientists to keep track of changing bird populations across the continent.

This is particularly important with potential climate changes, warmer weather in particular. And it's fun.

"Warmer temperatures and lack of snow cover means birds can find more natural food so they may visit feeders less," said FeederWatch leader David Bonter, in a press release about the program.

"But even if participants are not seeing many birds, that's still valuable information we need to detect population changes on a broad scale.

"The one number we definitely want to see increase is the number of people taking part in FeederWatch. It's easy to do, and the information is incredibly valuable in helping us better understand what's going on in the environment and in the lives of the birds we enjoy so much."

Read on:  http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20121028/LIVING/710289933

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