• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
October 22, 2014

I Am Becoming a Birder

Over the last few years, my interest in birds has increased exponentially. I began ‘birding’ in my backyard sort of on purpose and sort of not. In the very beginning I was simply planting trees that produced berries for their aesthetic value. Over the years, I noticed how they were always filled with birds, chirping away and enjoying a berry feast.

Today, I plant purposefully for the birds. About three years ago, I put in two elderberry trees which have grown quicker than I imagined they would. Each year they produce numerous clusters of small dark purple berries and each year I see the trees swarmed by birds looking for a treat. Cardinals, blue jays, cedar waxwings, bluebirds, and the list goes on.
bird1

Speaking of bluebirds, it has taken seven years for them to make a home of the nestboxes I set up in my meadow. They are picky, I suppose.

Bird Studies Canada
In the last year or so I have become closely involved with Bird Studies Canada. I attended the Baillie Bird-a-thon last year and learned just how little I know about birds (seriously, those guys seem to know everything!).
bird2

I have been working with them to develop feeders, seed blends, and nesting boxes. And I have been learning a lot. The world is birds is a fascinating one and I highly encourage you to delve into it. It can be as simple as putting up one feeder and seeing what happens. Or you can be more methodical about it: strategically placing different feeders with different seed around your yard, finding a good bird ID guide, and sitting down with the intention of identifying what comes to your feeders.

Project FeederWatch
Whether you are an avid bird watcher or a casual one, Project FeederWatch is a great way to learn about birds and help out the scientific birding community. When you join, you become a citizen scientist. Because birds span our great country from ocean to ocean to ocean, and Bird Studies Canada doesn’t have eyes and ears to match that distance, they rely on citizens, like you and me, to help them out.
bird3

Becoming a Citizen Scientist
When you become a citizen scientist (detailed instructions found here), you get a bird watching kit that comes with a bird ID poster, bird-feeding information, lots of helpful instructions, a bird watching calendar, tally sheet, quarterly Bird Studies magazine, and access information for entering your data online.

It’s easy! You select your own times to count birds (regular intervals between November and April), choose the place you wish to sit, and keep a tally of the birds that you see at your feeders. You enter your data online using the access information provided and that’s it! You have become a citizen scientist and your data will help bird scientists understand patterns in bird communities across the country.
bird4
It works! Since its inception in 1987, Project FeederWatch has been engaging citizens to help collect scientific data. With over 20,000 participants in North America, bird science has been able to advance in ways it would have never been able to do if it had to rely solely on bird scientists.

It’s cheap (cheep? Sorry, had to go there). It costs only $35. What other family friendly activity can you do for that price these days? Your money goes partly towards the kit you receive but also helps pay for website upkeep, and database updates. More detailed fee information can be found here but I can assure you, the money is going to the right place. Bird Studies Canada is a non-profit organization as is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (their partner in the project).

Next week: feeding the birds in your yard.

← Previous post
Be a Responsible Tomato Grower

Next post →
Feed the Birds…

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark Cullen Follow

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

MarkCullen4
2 Mar

Was a pleasure visiting with our #tree loving friends @TonyDiGiovanni1 and @MarkCullen4 today @vinelandrsrch!

Reply on Twitter 1631375315615318018 Retweet on Twitter 1631375315615318018 1 Like on Twitter 1631375315615318018 10 Twitter 1631375315615318018
19 Feb

Increase biodiversity in your yard with these tips from Mark and Ben Cullen. @MarkCullen4

http://ow.ly/u2sE50MVwTA

Reply on Twitter 1627294471200116736 Retweet on Twitter 1627294471200116736 1 Like on Twitter 1627294471200116736 4 Twitter 1627294471200116736
10 Feb

Excited to meet with Mark Cullen and Tony DiGiovanni today to learn more about the Trees for Life Program and how Less Mess can help!

Reply on Twitter 1624161096243240976 Retweet on Twitter 1624161096243240976 4 Like on Twitter 1624161096243240976 6 Twitter 1624161096243240976
12 Jan

This was a great way to start the new year. Congratulations, Landscape Ontario, on this milestone! Thanks to all who made it happen. We’re looking forward to the next one.

#TreesForLife #Congress #LOCongress #ClimateAction #GoGreen #HOHTC

Reply on Twitter 1613670790612017153 Retweet on Twitter 1613670790612017153 5 Like on Twitter 1613670790612017153 5 Twitter 1613670790612017153

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑