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With the end of November comes the changing of the seasons; autumn turns to winter, the first snow starts to fall and the birds continue their migration to the south. While this passage of birds is of great interest to some, others are more fascinated by the birds that remain behind, and this is the motivation behind Project FeederWatch. A study of the patterns of birds in the winter, participants observe their bird feeders on weekends, and count the highest number of each species they see and send the results to Project FeederWatch. The survey typically runs from the second weekend in November to the first weekend in April. A joint venture of Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the United States, the project was initiated by the Long Point Bird Observatory in 1976. Until 1987 it was an Ontario-only survey but has expanded to become continent-wide. In 2008-2009, there were participants from every Canadian province and territory, and all 50 American states. Nearly 16,000 people take part every year. The data collected through the survey helps scientists track trends in distribution and abundance in birds. It has also been used to track the spread of disease, such as House Finch Eye Disease. Data from the past 30 years is available at the Bird Studies Canada website. To participate in Project FeederWatch, one must first become a member of Bird Studies Canada and pay a fee that ranges from $25 per year for students to $1,000 for a lifetime membership. Photos of birds commonly found in Norfolk County External Link to Project Feeder Watch
External Link to Cornell Ornithology
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