The 2016-2017 season of Project FeederWatch starts November 12, 2016 and lasts 21 weeks. The data collected is analyzed by Cornell University's Ornithology lab to track and study bird populations throughout the United States and Canada.
Image Source Project FeederWatch and MS PowerPoint ClipArt
2015-2016 FeederWatch Season
Last year was my 16th season of participating in Project FeederWatch.
Image Source Project FeederWatch
During the 16 seasons I have entered 310 count observations for my site and observed 49 different species of birds.
Over 140 thousand sites in the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada participated in the 2015-2016 season. Nearly 7 millions birds were observed during the season.
Image Source Project FeederWatch Participant Map
In my region there were 748 FeederWatchers reporting data. The top 25 birds observed in my region are shown below.
Image Source Project FeederWatch Top 25 Birds (Central Region)
The Project FeederWatch website also provides tools to explore your own observations. Below is my chart for the number of observed bird species each week during the 2015-2016 season.
Image Source Project FeederWatch
Rarer Birds Observed in My Backyard
During my 16 years of participating in Project FeederWatch I have observed birds I rarely see in my backyard. I try to get pictures of these birds. The quality is somewhat low because I am shooting through triple-pane windows that are not always clean.
Yellow Headed Blackbird
Starting in 2004 I observed Yellow Headed Blackbirds. They seem to be passing through the area because I only observe them for a few days some seasons.
Original Photo
A Bird from Another Continent
In 2008 I observed a bird I had never seen before. I sent the picture to Project FeederWatch to help me identify the bird. They said it was a bird from Australia and most likely escaped from someone's home. I suspect the bird did not make it through the winter here.
Original Photo
Turkey
Also in 2008 I snapped this photo of a Turkey who visited my feeders.
Original Photo
Red Headed Woodpecker
In 2014 I started observing a Red Headed Woodpecker. I had never seen one prior to 2014. Since then I have observed one each year at my feeders.
Original Photo
Sharing a Feeder
Occassionally I catch an interesting sight. In this case it was a Sparrow and a Red Bellied Woodpecker sharing a feeder full of coarse sunflower kernels.
Original Photo
Signing Up for the 2016-2017 Season
If you are interested in joining Project FeederWatch this season, you can learn more and sign-up at the Project FeederWatch website. During the 21 week season you will need to record your observations during two consecutive days each week.
