Each February, for four days, the world comes together to watch and count birds. This Feb. 18-21, you’re invited to participate in the annual bird-counting event by reporting the birds you see through eBird.
Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online community science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real time. Observations will help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.
To participate, count birds for a minimum of 15 minutes from your home or local public lands, and record what you see. Learn more about how to participate, and check out your local Audubon chapter for opportunities to participate with other bird enthusiasts.
Follow MI Birds, a public outreach and education program presented by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, to learn more about community science projects and stewardship activities that help protect Michigan’s birds and the places they need.
Tips for winter bird feeding
Blue jays, red-breasted nuthatches and northern cardinals are just a few of the many winter birds that provide a burst of color and activity across a stark winter landscape. Bird feeders can help attract birds to your space during the winter when natural food sources might be buried beneath snow or limited in supply. Keeping feeders up into the spring can help support birds on their long migrations north.
However, it’s important to remember that feeding birds can sometimes draw uninvited guests to the area, like rodents and white-tailed deer.
"In Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is working to combat chronic wasting disease, a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. It is transmitted through direct animal-to-animal contact, which is why it is very important to discourage deer from congregating at your bird feeders," reads a news release. "Baiting and feeding bans are still in place in the Lower Peninsula and chronic wasting disease core areas in the Upper Peninsula to prevent deer from gathering around a food source."
Here are some tips on how best to feed birds while keeping Michigan’s deer herd safe:
• Tube feeders are best for black oil sunflower, mixed seed, safflower seed or peanuts, which attract chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches, siskins, and purple and house finches.
• Hopper feeders are best for safflower and sunflower seeds or cracked corn, which attract all the species that visit tube feeders plus larger birds like cardinals, jays, grackles and red-winged blackbirds.
• Suet feeders attract woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches and chickadees as well as the occasional wren, creeper and warbler.
• Don’t place seed directly on the ground or use platform feeders, which tend to attract deer and other unwanted guests. Mess-free birdseed options are available to purchase at stores, which can help keep the ground clean.
• Fence in feeders, if possible, to prevent deer from accessing them.
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February 15, 2022 at 12:24AM
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Great Backyard Bird Count celebrating 25th year - Manistee News Advocate
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