SPRING 2002/VOLUME 16, NUMBER 2

Carol Euller says counting birds for 15 years has kept her young. John Euller

Data from long-term participants are especially useful for conducting analyses that track individual sites over time. During this 15th anniversary of Project FeederWatch, we are honoring these long-timers with a certificate of appreciation signed by the Lab's director and the FeederWatch project leader.

"Not only am I doing my bit to promote bird research, FeederWatching is a good exsuse to neglect chores for two days!" -Jean Dubois, Los Gatos, California

Hooked on Birds

"FeederWatch is one of my favorite ways to get close to nature" -Mark Chestnut Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania

How did our FeederWatchers first become interested in birds? When Margaret and John Knutson of Brooklin, Maine, were newlyweds, they thought a gull was a gull was a gull. Then on the first morning of their honeymoon at Cape Cod's Wellfleet Harbor, they saw Great Black-backed, Herring, and Ring-billed gulls on three adjacent pilings - the first three birds on their joint life list.

Mary Kaye and Marv Rubin of Arlington, Virginia, became interested in birds while Marv was laid up for eight weeks following back surgery: "Marv began to notice the birds in our backyard and, being a city guy, didn't know a starling from a cardinal," says Mary Kaye. That's not the case anymore, after a pair of binoculars, a Peterson guide, and 15 years of FeederWatching.

Year After Year
Barbara Shivers of Erie, Pennsylvania, says, "I love to see the changes in the bird populations from year to year, and I am always hoping for some new and unusual visitors, like the Pine Siskins and Cedar Waxwings. It is also a wonderful way to slow down for two days and just focus on the world outside."

John Collins maintains backyard feeders in a neighborhood that has been increasingly urbanized. Mary Van Gelder

Carol Euller of Webster, New York, adds, "I count because it's fun and it keeps me young. Besides, if I stopped, my birds would never forgive me!"

An Important Role
John Collins of Whitestone, New York, notes the importance of maintaining backyard feeders in areas that are becoming increasingly urbanized. "In my neighborhood, old houses are being sold and torn down, the properties divided, and two or three houses placed in their stead. The vegetation is removed and the trees and shrubs are never replaced. On my block, only 3 homes out of 15 have any useful habitat for birds."

Like John, many long-term participants have witnessed similar landscape changes that have been detrimental to birds. By setting up feeders, they have provided refuge for birds and set a wonderful example for neighbors, children, and grandchildren. And by sending data to the Lab of Ornithology, FeederWatchers are making important contributions to our understanding of birds' food preferences, winter irruptions, and long-term population and distribution trends.

We extend a special thanks to FeederWatchers who have been with the program since its inception. We look forward to working with you for the next 15 years, and beyond.