y tracking birds like this hairy woodpecker through the winter, birdwatchers can help scientists identify shifts and trends in North American bird biodiversity. (Photo credit: Ric Hornsby)
This citizen science project is a joint program of Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. For a $35 fee, participants receive a handbook and other materials that help them identify bird species. They enter this data into a central website, thereby helping scientists track changes in bird numbers and movements across North America.
Last winter, participants in many cities across Canada reported fewer birds and less variety than in previous seasons, likely due to frigid temperatures, harsh winds, and record snowfall.
