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Citizen Science Projects
Do you enjoy watching the birds that appear at your feeder? Are
you interested in collecting data that will help scientists
track bird migration and population patterns? Then the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology has a Citizen Science project for you!
Project FeederWatch, Classroom FeederWatch, and The Great
Backyard Bird Count are just a few of the fun ways you can enjoy
bird watching while helping scientists understand more about
birds!
Project Feeder Watch
Are you a teacher who likes to promote science in your
classroom? Here’s a great ongoing Citizen Science project that
will really get your students interested in birds, whether they
are in kindergarten or high school! The Cornell Lab of
Ornithology has been promoting Citizen Science for many years,
and has several projects open to teachers and students.
Classroom FeederWatch is Citizen Science at its finest!
Students enjoy feeding and watching local birds, while
scientists learn from their findings. To begin Classroom
FeederWatch, students and their teacher must simply set up a
bird feeding station near the school grounds, then observe what
birds are feeding there each week during specific times.
Students will use the scientific method as they predict,
observe, and record information. Data is then entered into the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, helping scientists to track
bird populations, locations, and patterns.
Classroom FeederWatch comes with a great curriculum full of
ideas for activities and extensions, which can be adjusted for
all ages, ability levels, and busy schedules! The program
costs approximately $100 for the first year (to cover the
curriculum), and is $15 each year following. Flathead Audubon
has awarded annual grants to teachers wishing to participate in
this exciting Citizen Science opportunity. Please contact Ansley
Ford, the Flathead Audubon Education Chair, at 857-6788, or any
other member of the Flathead Audubon Board of Directors to find
out how to apply for grants.
Learn more about Citizen Science at the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s
website, or go directly to
Project Feeder Watch.
Happy Feeder Watching!
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