Local Residents Support Project FeederWatch by Counting Birds

Submitted by WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED | Contributing Writer

Beginning in November, thousands of people across the country—including some from the Los Angeles area—will be participating in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch, a winter survey of the birds that visit backyard feeders in the United States and Canada.

The collected Project FeederWatch information helps ornithologists track changes in the abundance and distribution of bird species that use feeders in the winter.

“We are excited to help FeederWatchers get started,” said Julie Hanson, owner of the Santa Monica Wild Birds Unlimited. “Wild Birds Unlimited customers play a significant role in this study each year.”

To be a FeederWatcher, participants must watch birds for Project FeederWatch once every two weeks from November through April, count the kinds and number of birds at their feeders, and record the information on data forms. The information is then submitted online or mailed back for analysis in the spring.

For the $18 enrollment fee, new participants receive a bird identification poster, bird feeding information and instructional material. All participants—new and renewing—receive a calendar tally sheet.

Those interested can also explore maps and charts online to see what others are reporting during the count. More information about participating in Project FeederWatch is available at Wild Birds Unlimited.

“This is not only an opportunity to see a variety of birds,” Hanson said, “but it’s also a fun way to take part in a scientific study.”

Wild Birds Unlimited, located at 12433 Wilshire Boulevard, is part of the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice, and educational events. For more information, visit wbu.com/santamonica.