Here are a few things we’re pretty sure we know about you:

• You like birds and nature

• You enjoy watching birds

• You enjoy feeding birds

See, we do know you and we think you might enjoy taking your love of birds to the next level by counting the birds in your yard and at your feeders to help researchers learn more about bird populations (where individual species are thriving and where others may be on the decline).

Since 1987, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada have joined together on Project FeederWatch, a winter-long citizen scientist program that gathers data from thousands of bird enthusiasts throughout North America who count the birds in their backyards and report what they see. Wild Birds Unlimited has officially sponsored Project FeederWatch since 2016.

The 2023-24 Project FeederWatch season is soon to begin and it runs from November 1st through April 30th. Counting birds for science is easy:

1. Choose your count site. Choose a portion of your yard that is easy to monitor, typically an area that is visible from inside your home. This is a winter bird count, you don’t want to be standing outside counting birds!

2. Choose your count days. Select two consecutive days as often as once a week, leaving at least five days in between when you don’t count.

3. For each species seen, record the maximum number of individuals visible simultaneously during your two-day count.

If you’re thinking this sounds like a lot of fun and you want to learn more about Project FeederWatch and how to participate, follow this link to sign up and start counting birds for science: https://feederwatch.org/

The male and female House Finches in the photo are feeding at our Wild Birds Unlimited Modern Rustic Hanging Tray Feeder. The environmentally friendly feeder is made from recycled plastic and can hold birdseed, peanuts, tree nuts, Bark Butter Bits, mealworms and fruit.