Every year, homeowners across North America delight in the birds that visit their yards. If you enjoy watching birds, you can help to protect them by participating in citizen scientist projects that help create databases of bird activity. This helps scientists to track migratory routes and numbers which informs their ecological impact studies.
Hummingbirds
Journey North is an organization that tracks the migratory routes of hummingbirds. If you have a feeder, add your backyard bird information to the database here.
Robins
Do you have robins nesting or feeding on your earthworms? Record your numbers here in the spring and fall and here for nesting pairs.
Kestrels
These beautiful birds are in peril and you can help by joining the Kestrel Partnership. You can create nesting boxes and help to monitor bird numbers.
Orioles
These bright, beautiful birds are an early harbinger of spring. They are a welcome guest to many gardens as they migrate across North America. You can record sightings here.
Red-wing blackbirds
If you see these birds in your yard, you know spring is not far behind! You can record your red-wing blackbird numbers here.
Barn Swallows
The number of swallows is dwindling dangerously, so please record sightings of this bird here or here.
Bluebirds
Eastern and western blue bird numbers can be recorded here.
Chickadee
If you have black cap chickadees nesting in your yards, please register your nest here.
Owls
Build your own barn owl boxes with the simple plans here. Ensure you live in an area with sufficient grasslands for rodents to thrive that is free of pesticides.