Dr. David Bonter (Project Leader) Unknown database http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. FeederWatchers periodically count the highest numbers of each species they see at their feeders from November through early April. FeederWatch helps scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with Audubon, Bird Studies Canada, and Nature Canada. To track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. Also to detect and explain changes in the wintering ranges of many species. Data summaries are available on the Project FeederWatch web site and in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology newsletter, BirdScope. Data retrieval tools including simple trend graphs and distribution maps are available to the public on the Project FeederWatch web site. 1987 2005 observed In work Annually North America (US and Canada) Approximately 16,000 participants annually from all states and provinces. -170.00 -50.00 70.00 24.00 None birds winter birds bird feeders feeder birds citizen science citizen-science None North America United States U.S. USA Canada None multiple species American Ornithologists' Union 1998 Seventh book The check-list is revised and updated on an annual basis by the American Ornithologists' Union. Revisions are published in The Auk. Many volunteers have pre-existing knowledge of bird identification or they use published field guides. All species of birds that visit feeders. Kingdom Animalia animals Phylum Chordata chordates Subphylum Vertebrata vertebrates Class Aves birds None None We gratefully acknowledge the hard work of thousands of collaborators who make this project possible. Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with Audubon, Bird Studies Canada (formerly the Long Point Bird Observatory), and Nature Canada. Over 5 million records per year, maintained in an Oracle database at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. More than 1 million checklists submitted 1989-2005. Bonney, R., and A.A. Dhondt 1997 book chapter New York Plenum Press In: Internet links for science education: student-science partnerships. Karen C. Cohen, ed. Dunn, E.H., and D.L. Tessaglia-Hymes 1999 book New York W.W. Norton & Company Dunn, E.H. 1993 journal article Journal of Field Ornithology 64(3):302-309 Dunn, E.H. 1994 journal article Journal of Field Ornithology 65(1):8-16 Hochachka, W.M., and A.A. Dhondt 2000 journal article Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA 97(10): 5303-5306 Hochachka, W., J. V. Wells, K. V. Rosenberg, D. L. Tessaglia-Hymes, and A. A. Dhondt. 1999 journal article Condor 101(2):195-204 Lepage, D., and C.M. Francis. 2002 journal article Condor 104: 255-270 Trumbull, D., R. Bonney, D. Bascom, and A. Cabral 2000 journal article Science Education 84: 265-275 Wells, J. V., K. V. Rosenberg, E. H. Dunn, D. L. Tessaglia, and A. A. Dhondt. 1997 journal article Journal of Field Ornithology 69(4):577-586 Wells, J. V., K. V. Rosenberg, D. L. Tessaglia, and A. A. Dhondt. 1996 journal article Canadian Journal of Zoology 74:2062-2069 These data are collected by participants of varying abilities. Many steps are taken to ensure that the data are as complete and accurate as possible. Detailed instructions and reference material are provided to participants. The data are passed through various filters and error-checks. Project FeederWatch staff are available to answer questions. not applicable These data are collected by volunteers of varying abilities. Completeness does vary from observer to observer. The location of each count site is determined by zip or postal code. The sampling locations are determined by the individual participants. Exact latitude and longitude coordinates are available for many recently established count sites. Field Participants select and define the count site (the area within which the feeders are placed). They then count the birds they see in this area. The same site is used all season. Count days are two consecutive days that are selected in advance for the watching of the feeders. Two Count Days are selected during each Count Period. If data are submitted on paper forms, each Count Period is two weeks long. If data are submitted online, counts may be done every week. FeederWatch scientists merge all the FeederWatch data, run the data through a series of editing programs, and begin summarizing the data into two variables for each species: "percentage of feeders visited" and "mean group size." Both variables provide an index of species abundance. Unknown The location of each count site is determined by zip or postal code. Exact latitude and longitude coordinates are available for many recently established count sites. Point date date of observation self-evident species bird species name The A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds count highest number seen at one time self-evident effort effort spent watching count site self-evident time periods time periods that observer watched count site self-evident day 1, morning self-evident self-evident day 1, afternoon self-evident self-evident day 2, morning self-evident self-evident day 2, afternoon self-evident self-evident cumulative time cumulative time that observer watched count site self-evident under 1 hour self-evident self-evident 1 to 4 hours self-evident self-evident 4+ to 8 hours self-evident self-evident over 8 hours self-evident self-evident watched feeders, but no birds present self-evident self-evident weather weather conditions during count days self-evident daylight temperature temperature extremes for 2-day count period self-evident low temperature, under -18 deg C (0 deg F) self-evident self-evident low temperature, -18 to -10 deg C (0 to 14 deg F) self-evident self-evident low temperature, -9 to 0 deg C (15 to 32 deg F) self-evident self-evident low temperature, 1 to 10 deg C (33 to 50 deg F) self-evident self-evident low temperature, 11 to 20 deg C (51 to 68 deg F) self-evident self-evident low temperature, over 20 deg C (68 deg F) self-evident self-evident high temperature, under -18 deg C (0 deg F) self-evident self-evident high temperature, -18 to -10 deg C (0 to 14 deg F) self-evident self-evident high temperature, -9 to 0 deg C (15 to 32 deg F) self-evident self-evident high temperature, 1 to 10 deg C (33 to 50 deg F) self-evident self-evident high temperature, 11 to 20 deg C (51 to 68 deg F) self-evident self-evident high temperature, over 20 deg C (68 deg F) self-evident self-evident daylight precipitation type kind of precipitation that occurred during count period self-evident none self-evident self-evident rain self-evident self-evident rain and snow self-evident self-evident snow self-evident self-evident precipitation duration duration of precipitation during count period self-evident under 1 hour self-evident self-evident 1 to 3 hours self-evident self-evident 3+ to 6 hours self-evident self-evident over 6 hours self-evident self-evident snow depth and cover snow conditions during the majority of the count period self-evident none self-evident self-evident under 5 cm (2") self-evident self-evident 5+ cm to 15 cm (2" to 6") self-evident self-evident over 15 cm (6") self-evident self-evident hard crust or ice covers snow self-evident self-evident snow cover is patchy (< 50%) self-evident self-evident count site description description of count site and surrounding neighborhood self-evident new or repeat participant new or repeat participant self-evident I am a first-time participant. self-evident self-evident My count site is at the same address. self-evident self-evident My count site is at a different address. self-evident self-evident change from previous season? Is the count site new or has anything changed since last season? self-evident My count site is new or some information has changed. self-evident self-evident No changes since last time. self-evident self-evident size of count site Is the count site very small, small, medium, or large? self-evident Very small: a window or hanging feeder only. self-evident self-evident Small: up to half the size of a tennis court. self-evident self-evident Medium: the size of one-half to two tennis courts. self-evident self-evident Large: greater than two tennis courts. self-evident self-evident vegetation describe the count site vegetation self-evident no vegetation self-evident self-evident garden or courtyard self-evident self-evident landscaped yard self-evident self-evident desert: natural or landscaped self-evident self-evident natural vegetation self-evident self-evident mix of natural and landscaped vegetation self-evident self-evident population population of the city or town self-evident 1-5,000 self-evident self-evident 5,001-25,000 self-evident self-evident 25,001-100,000 self-evident self-evident more than 100,000 self-evident self-evident housing density Is the neighborhood rural, suburban/rural, suburban, or urban? self-evident rural self-evident self-evident suburban/rural self-evident self-evident suburban self-evident self-evident urban self-evident self-evident elevation elevation of the count site self-evident 0-750 m (0-2,500 ft) self-evident self-evident 751-1,500 m (2,501-5,000 ft) self-evident self-evident 1,501-2,250 m (5,001-7,500 ft) self-evident self-evident 2,251-3,000 m (7,501-10,000 ft) self-evident self-evident above 3,000 m (10,000 ft) self-evident self-evident habitats all habitats present within 0.8 km (0.5 mi.) self-evident industrial or commercial self-evident self-evident residential self-evident self-evident agricultural fields (plowed or fallow) self-evident self-evident natural desert or scrub self-evident self-evident young regrowth woods or secondary scrub self-evident self-evident deciduous plantation (e.g., orchard) self-evident self-evident mixed deciduous/evergreen woods self-evident self-evident swamp (wooded) self-evident self-evident park, schoolyard, campus, or golf course self-evident self-evident freshwater (river, lake, pond, frozen or not) self-evident self-evident deciduous woods self-evident self-evident evergreen woods or plantation self-evident self-evident salt water (bay or ocean) self-evident self-evident marsh self-evident self-evident other (describe in box) self-evident self-evident feeders numbers and types of feeders present self-evident number of seed feeders: hopper self-evident self-evident number of seed feeders: tube self-evident self-evident number of seed on ground sites self-evident self-evident number of suet or fat feeders self-evident self-evident number of seed feeders: platform self-evident self-evident number of fruit feeders self-evident self-evident number of sugar water feeders self-evident self-evident number of other feeders self-evident self-evident months months that food is provided at least once per week self-evident January self-evident self-evident February self-evident self-evident March self-evident self-evident April self-evident self-evident May self-evident self-evident June self-evident self-evident July self-evident self-evident August self-evident self-evident September self-evident self-evident October self-evident self-evident November self-evident self-evident December self-evident self-evident disturbance Are other feeders, squirrels, cats, dogs, or people active nearby? self-evident other feeders are operated within 90 m (300 ft) self-evident self-evident squirrels take food at least 3 times per week self-evident self-evident cats are active within 30 m at least one-half hour, 3 days per week self-evident self-evident dogs are active within 30 m at least one-half hour, 3 days per week self-evident self-evident people are active within 30 m at least one-half hour, 3 days per week self-evident self-evident foods types of food that are regularly provided between November and April self-evident sunflower: striped self-evident self-evident sunflower: black-oil self-evident self-evident sunflower: without shell self-evident self-evident safflower self-evident self-evident corn: whole self-evident self-evident corn: cracked self-evident self-evident Nyjer seed (thistle) self-evident self-evident millet self-evident self-evident milo (sorghum) self-evident self-evident oats self-evident self-evident barley self-evident self-evident wheat self-evident self-evident canary seed self-evident self-evident rapeseed (canola) self-evident self-evident suet or fat self-evident self-evident mealworms self-evident self-evident fruit: fresh or frozen self-evident self-evident fruit: dried self-evident self-evident popcorn self-evident self-evident sugar water self-evident self-evident fresh water self-evident self-evident grit or sand self-evident self-evident eggshells self-evident self-evident peanuts: in shell self-evident self-evident peanuts: without shell self-evident self-evident peanuts: hearts self-evident self-evident peanut butter self-evident self-evident other (write in box) self-evident self-evident other features trees, shrubs, brush piles, and water sources within 100 feet of feeders self-evident number of evergreen trees > 3 m tall self-evident self-evident number of evergreen shrubs 3 m tall or less self-evident self-evident number of deciduous trees > 3 m tall self-evident self-evident number of deciduous shrubs 3 m tall or less self-evident self-evident number of cacti self-evident self-evident number of fruiting trees or shrubs self-evident self-evident number of brush piles self-evident self-evident number of natural freshwater sources self-evident self-evident number of bird baths self-evident self-evident food source where feeding supplies are purchased self-evident grocery store or bulk food store self-evident self-evident hardware or building supply store self-evident self-evident garden center self-evident self-evident feed store or agricultural supply self-evident self-evident specialty bird or nature store self-evident self-evident large department store self-evident self-evident pet specialty store self-evident self-evident farm (or self-grown) self-evident self-evident other (write in box) self-evident self-evident expenditures estimate of annual expenditures on bird feeding self-evident amount spent on seed only self-evident self-evident amount spent on other foods self-evident self-evident amount spent on feeders self-evident self-evident The data set includes: date of observation, species, highest number seen at one time, effort, weather (low temperature, high temperature, precipitation, snow depth, and snow cover), count site description (size, vegetation, population density of neighborhood, elevation, habitats, numbers and types of feeders, types of food provided, etc.). The Project FeederWatch web site has more information about the data that is collected. David Bonter Project FeederWatch mailing and physical

159 Sapsucker Woods Road

Ithaca NY 14850 USA 607-254-2457 dnb23@cornell.edu No warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy or utility of these data. Please contact the distributor to order Project FeederWatch data. 20050901 Jim Lowe Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology mailing and physical

159 Sapsucker Woods Road

Ithaca NY 14850 USA 607-254-2413 JDL6@cornell.edu FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001.1-1999