Nationally Based Birding 
Citizen Science Programs

(Please Note: Because some of the following programs occur seasonally or one weekend a year, some of the links provided may not be kept up to date. If you know of a program not covered in this section, or of a new link or source of information on these programs, please let us know. mailto:das@duluthaudubon.org)

DAS/eBird Hotspot Tracking Program
Skill Level: All Levels    Timing: On-going
This new collaboration between DAS and eBird.org will give all of your birding observations more relevance, providing many significant benefits to you, other local birders, and both the local and national scientific communities. Whether you are birding in your own backyard, a favorite trail or one of the hotspots identified on DAS's Duluth/Superior Birding Map, submitting your observations through this excellent website will enhance the birding experience for yourself and others while providing critical information that may help to shape future decisions on local conservation, land use and other important environmental issues. To find out more about our collaboration with eBird, go to DAS/eBird.

Project FeederWatch
Skill Level: All Levels   Timing: November Through Early April   Cost: $15/year
A project of Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders in North America. All you have to do is track the highest number of each species you view at one time (during count times) at your feeder to help scientists track movements of winter bird populations and long-term bird distribution and abundance. Participants receive a research kit which contains instructions, a bird identification poster, a wall calendar, a resource guide to bird feeding and data forms. Full details can be found at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/

Great Backyard Bird Count
Skill Level: All   Timing: Four days in February
(Editors note: The next GBBC is Feb. 15-18, 2008. DAS urges all local birders to take part in this very worthwhile, yet very simple and easy program. Then, come to our March program and share your sightings and observations with other local birders. Who saw what? How many species were recorded throughout the area? Did any area in the Twin Ports fare better than others? How can local information from the GBBC help local birders?)

Participants count birds anywhere they desire for as little or long as they like during the four-day period. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time and then report their counts by filling out an online checklist. This program gives scientists and birders a  real-time snapshot of where birds are across the entire continent and the numbers for each species. This program is a joint effort of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Full details can be found at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

Breeding Bird Survey
Skill Level: "Skilled amateurs and professional biologists"   Timing: Spring
To participate in this program you should have the ability to identify all breeding birds in the area by sight and sound. Knowledge of bird songs is extremely important. Participants must also successfully complete the BBS Methodology Training Program. Over 2500 skilled participants, using rigorous protocol, collect data along thousands of randomly established roadside routes throughout the continent. (Participants are assigned routes.) This program is a joint venture between the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and the Canadian Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Research Center. Details can be found at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS/

Christmas Bird Count
Skill Level: Beginner to Experienced   Timing: Locally, one day in December
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the oldest and largest citizen science event in the world. It annually provides a wealth of information on the status and distribution of early winter bird populations that is studied by scientists all over the world. There is specific methodology to the CBC, and to participate you must work within an existing "Christmas Bird Count circle." If you are a relatively inexperienced birder, you can join a group that includes at least one experienced birder. If you wish to participate, you must contact the local compiler prior to the count to register. In the past, several links we have followed for information on the local CBC have been invalid or the information on the site has been for the previous year's event. Therefore, we suggest you start by learning more at the national Audubon site and follow their links and instructions. Go to: http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/index.html

House Finch Disease Survey
Skill Level: Ability to identify diseased birds   Timing: On-going
The House Finch Disease Survey is an opportunity for you to help researchers track the spread of an infectious disease among birds. Simply record the visits of House Finches and American Goldfinches that appear at your feeders, note the occurrence of diseased birds and submit your findings to Cornell Lab of Ornithology. To participate in this program you should submit your data on a "semi-regular" basis, since single reports of infection would make it appear that 100% of the birds at your location are infected. Learn more at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/

BirdSleuth
Skill Level: For elementary school students   Timing: On-going
"The BirdSleuth curriculum is designed to give students experience with the entire scientific process: observing birds carefully, collecting data, asking their own questions, drawing conclusions through research and observation, and publishing results." There is some cost for curriculum materials. For full details on this very worthwhile educational program, go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdsleuth

NestWatch
Skill Level: All levels   Timing: Nesting period
NestWatch, Cornell's newest citizen science program, helps scientists to understand the causes of and solutions for species declines. You can help by collecting and submitting nesting records for your area. Such records should include information about the nest site location, habitat, species, and the number of eggs, young and fledglings. NestWatch data are available online for you to explore, and the Nestwatch databases make it easy for you to manage and organize your bird nesting records. Go to http://www.watch.birds.cornell.edu/nest/

Birds in Forested Landscapes
Skill Level: Somewhat experienced birders   Timing: On-going
BFL looks to "birders and amateur scientists" to fill the gaps in scientific knowledge regarding the specific habitat requirements of high-priority forest birds. BFL participants help answer such questions as: How much habitat area do different forest-dwelling birds require for successful breeding? How are habitat requirements affected by land use in the surrounding area? And, how do the habitat requirements of a species vary across its range? Participants will become part of a network of "experienced volunteer researchers" who may be called upon to address future questions as well. To learn more about the research involved and the desired qualifications of the participants, go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/bfl

Urban Birds Celebration
Skill Level: Any level   Timing: On-going
The Urban Birds Celebration is a very simple and easy citizen science project that individuals, school groups and other organizations can participate in. Participants simply view an area about "half the size of a basketball court" for ten minutes to see how many of 16 specific species they can see. They then submit their observations, as well as information on the habitat observed, online. Researchers will accept data from all locations, including suburbs, small towns and small cities. For details, go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/urbanbirds/celebration/

Golden-winged Warbler Atlas Project
Skill Level: "Volunteer birders and professional biologists"
Timing: In Minnesota, May 15 to June 20
The GOWAP is designed to determine the population status and habitat requirements of the Golden-winged Warbler. Participants survey and conduct point counts at known and potential breeding sites to create data that will eventually be used in two detailed atlases. For full details and sign-up information, go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/gowap

Click here for more birding/citizen science programs that are locally or regionally based: Local Birding Citizen Science Programs

Non-Birding Citizen Science Programs

DAS Increases Its Commitment To Citizen Science

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