Project FeederWatch
Project FeederWatch
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FeederWatch data helps scientists track the distribution, abundance, and migration of birds throughout the winter.
FeederWatch data helps scientists track the distribution, abundance, and migration of birds throughout the winter.
Goals of FeederWatch Research:
Goals of FeederWatch Research:
- Track wintering bird populations and distribution in North America.
- Show which species visit North American feeders every winter.
- Measure changes in the winter ranges and abundances of bird species over time.
- Learn about climate change impacts on bird migration patterns.
Why should you care?
Why should you care?
Birds are Natural Survivors
Birds are Natural Survivors
Overwintering birds are adapted to live in harsh winter conditions. Here are some changes that help the birds survive!
Overwintering birds are adapted to live in harsh winter conditions. Here are some changes that help the birds survive!
~Legs adapted to stand in snow
~Legs adapted to stand in snow
~Feathers to trap in heat
~Feathers to trap in heat
~Slowing metabolism to conserve energy
~Slowing metabolism to conserve energy
And so much more!
And so much more!
Climate Change & Migration
Climate Change & Migration
As climate changes are birds migrating and overwintering in the same locations? Are all birds still migrating with warmer winter temperatures?
As climate changes are birds migrating and overwintering in the same locations? Are all birds still migrating with warmer winter temperatures?
We don't know, but data from Feederwatch will help determine the impacts of climate change.
We don't know, but data from Feederwatch will help determine the impacts of climate change.
Some Local Birds that Overwinter (spend winter) in Northwest Indiana
Some Local Birds that Overwinter (spend winter) in Northwest Indiana
Blue Jay
Red-bellied Woodpecker
House Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Birds are in danger!
Birds are in danger!
Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species have the potential to harm millions of these birds every year!
Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species have the potential to harm millions of these birds every year!
Do these issues happen in your neighborhood?
Do these issues happen in your neighborhood?
Yes! They absolutely do!
Yes! They absolutely do!
It's important to monitor the birds to track potential population drops or distribution shifts especially during the time of year where many species are the most vulnerable!
It's important to monitor the birds to track potential population drops or distribution shifts especially during the time of year where many species are the most vulnerable!
Did you know?
Did you know?
Bird populations across all species are down 29% now versus just 50 years ago here in North America. That's almost one-third of the amount of birds have died off in just 50 years!!!
Bird populations across all species are down 29% now versus just 50 years ago here in North America. That's almost one-third of the amount of birds have died off in just 50 years!!!
Who Runs FeederWatch?
Who Runs FeederWatch?
FeederWatch is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York as part of Cornell University.
FeederWatch is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York as part of Cornell University.
They now run the world's largest biodiversity-related science project with people submitting over 100 million bird sightings each year!
They now run the world's largest biodiversity-related science project with people submitting over 100 million bird sightings each year!
Scientists and professors are overseeing and sharing the data with other research partners all around the world.
Scientists and professors are overseeing and sharing the data with other research partners all around the world.
How Do I Participate?
How Do I Participate?
Dunes Learning Center will place a bird feeder on campus. You will be able to view the bird feeder via live web-stream.
Dunes Learning Center will place a bird feeder on campus. You will be able to view the bird feeder via live web-stream.
Students will keep track of birds visiting on provided tally sheets and submit data on the species that they identify.
Students will keep track of birds visiting on provided tally sheets and submit data on the species that they identify.
You must be able to identify birds visiting the feeder.
You must be able to identify birds visiting the feeder.
FeederWatch only counts specific species of birds on their list.
FeederWatch only counts specific species of birds on their list.
Don't worry, we have digital guides to help you identify the birds!
Don't worry, we have digital guides to help you identify the birds!
Data must be recorded two consecutive days each time, and then a minimum of 5 day wait period between collections.
Data must be recorded two consecutive days each time, and then a minimum of 5 day wait period between collections.
Data collection ends April 9th!!
Data collection ends April 9th!!
How is my data used?
How is my data used?
The ornithologists (bird scientists) use data collected by the community to track bird distribution, migration patterns and dates, abnormalities, population, habitat use, and trends.
The ornithologists (bird scientists) use data collected by the community to track bird distribution, migration patterns and dates, abnormalities, population, habitat use, and trends.
This data is free to use and helps other scientists study birds.
This data is free to use and helps other scientists study birds.
Data can be used to support cases for new laws and regulations involving land preservation, pollution levels, and many other topics that impact both the birds and your community!
Data can be used to support cases for new laws and regulations involving land preservation, pollution levels, and many other topics that impact both the birds and your community!
Project Perks
Project Perks
FeederWatch gives you the opportunity to see birds that are visiting a feeder within the Indiana Dunes National Park.
FeederWatch gives you the opportunity to see birds that are visiting a feeder within the Indiana Dunes National Park.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are helping save bird populations and land-especially in Northwest Indiana.
This project gives vital data to scientists that are helping save bird populations and land-especially in Northwest Indiana.
Your data contributes to a better understanding of climate change impacts on wildlife.
Your data contributes to a better understanding of climate change impacts on wildlife.
You have the chance to help birds survive the winter by giving them an easy and safe meal!
You have the chance to help birds survive the winter by giving them an easy and safe meal!
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Fast Notes
Fast Notes
- Many species in Indiana do not fly south for the winter and stay in Northwest Indiana all year. Other bird species choose to migrate here in the winter!
- Overwintering birds are adapted to live in harsh winter conditions.
- Provides information about bird population that cannot be detected by any other available method.
- Project Feederwatch was founded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York.
- This project requires you to collect data two consecutive days with 5 days between data collections.
- Data collection ends April 9!!
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