Citizen Science Project in Waupaca
The Waupaca Area Public Library is encouraging people to join a Citizen Science project connected to the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds.
This year’s Great Backyard Bird Count is Friday, Feb. 12 through Monday, Feb. 15.
Over those four days, people are invited to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them to a central data collecting website.
These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.
“We’ve participated before in Citizen Science projects,” said Children’s Librarian Sue Abrahamson. “We’ve tagged monarch butterflies for their migration a few years ago, and we urge families to explore and discover the wonders of nature through library programming.”
Citizen Science benefits
Citizen Science encourages people to take a stake in the world around them.
As a result, a more engaged and informed public will play a valuable role in influencing larger decisions about science policy.
It helps scientists collect data that they can later analyze and further investigate.
“Waupaca Citizen Scientists can be empowered to make a difference in our immediate environment, raise of social well-being, and just learn to be more observant about the world around us,” added Abrahamson.
Each year, participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count grows as people of all ages around the world spend their weekend counting, learning about and celebrating birds.
The library has more information about how to report sightings both on its website or in a document available through curbside pickup.
A Take and Make kit with everything needed to make a birdfeeder is also available now through the curbside service.
Though is it called the Great Backyard Bird Count, people may count birds anywhere – at a nearby park, schoolyard or neighborhood – anywhere they find birds.
Their information provides a long-term record of how bird populations may be changing over time.
Every sighting reported in the Great Backyard Bird Count becomes part of a permanent record that anyone with internet access may explore.
Look for trends that indicate how well birds are faring in the face of environmental changes such as urbanization, global climate change and disease.
People may count birds anywhere they like for at least 15 minutes, or as long as they wish.
They are to keep track of the kinds of birds they see and how long they watched.
Counting begins Feb. 12
People may watch and count one day, or multiple days during Feb. 12-15.
They are to make their best estimate of how many birds they saw of each species.
They enter their list and numbers online.
The options for identifying birds include the Merlin Bird ID app and the eBird Mobile app.
Participants visit eBird.org to enter their bird lists online.
“People are reporting to us already that they are seeing fewer birds this winter,” said Abrahamson. “We’ve installed a bird feeder in front of the library and have installed a live ‘feeder cam’ so you can bird watch with us from the warmth of your home.”
The live feed may be viewed on the library’s webpage.
“Over the next two weeks, you can find all sorts of fun bird activities to do with your families, neighbors and friends – all accessible from the library Facebook page and website,” she said. “We really hope to connect people in our community during this fun and important science event.”