It is very helpful to scientists to have assistance in the field. At the Lab of Ornithology, “citizen scientists” can be the eyes and ears of Lab scientists. Scientists use the data submitted to eBird in reports and conservation plans. Students become citizen scientists by submitting their bird observation data.

One of the BirdSleuth lessons, Investigation 5, “Sleuthing for Science” gives detailed instructions about entering data as a class.  The next Investigation, "Become an eBird Data Sleuth," allows students to easily explore bird data from across the country, or from your own town.  With the BirdSleuth: Most Wanted Birds curriculum, you and your students will quickly learn how to identify birds and then submit and explore eBird data!

Submitting data is easy!

1. Count birds and summarize your data
2. Go to ebird.org/birdsleuth
3. Register: choose a username, password, and provide an email address (you’ll only need to register the first time you enter data)
4. Enter data from your count: location, date and effort information, and the kinds and numbers of birds you saw