Oregon

‘tis the season! It’s chilly outside and you’re keeping your feeders clean and full for your winter visitors. Your bird observations while you sip a hot beverage at the window and watch the happy feathered feeding frenzy are valuable. Here are some great tips from eBird to help you make the most of counting at feeders and entering your sightings in eBird Northwest:Counting 102-birds at feeder

All of your entries in eBird Northwest are part of the greater eBird international data set and provide valuable information about where birds winter, when they arrive and depart our region, and what weather does to distribution patterns.

Have questions about what birds prefer which foods? How to prevent predator (or seed-stealer) problems at your feeder? Wonder how bird feeding affects birds?  US Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Birds Program offers information about bird feeding best practices: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/newreportspublications/pamphlet/feed.html

Many birds change their diets in the winter months due to food availability. Filling your feeders with foods high in calories and fat can attract birds to your yard and help birds stay warm during these chilly months. Read more tips about how to best feed birds in your yard this winter: http://www.wbu.com/education/winterbirdfeeding.html

Need seed tips? Check this out https://www.allaboutbirds.org/types-of-bird-seed-a-quick-guide/

You don’t have to wait for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) of 2016 as data from your feeders are valuable year-round. Capture all that great information by using eBird Northwest and entering your observations each time you take the time to relax and enjoy your bird-feeder “show.” If you’re interested in the GBBC 2015 results, check out this link, too: https://www.audubon.org/content/2014-great-backyard-bird-count-summary

Article by Wendy Connally, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife