• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Home Hardware Mark’s Choice
    • New Products
    • Hand Tools
    • Cutting Tools
    • Boots and Gloves
    • Hose and Watering Accessories
    • Bird Feeders and Bird Seed
    • Container Gardening
    • Seeds and Bulbs
    • Plant Supports
    • Gardening Accessories
  • CIL Iron Plus
    • C-I-L Iron Plus Lawn Fertilizers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
October 22, 2014

I Am Becoming a Birder

Over the last few years, my interest in birds has increased exponentially. I began ‘birding’ in my backyard sort of on purpose and sort of not. In the very beginning I was simply planting trees that produced berries for their aesthetic value. Over the years, I noticed how they were always filled with birds, chirping away and enjoying a berry feast.

Today, I plant purposefully for the birds. About three years ago, I put in two elderberry trees which have grown quicker than I imagined they would. Each year they produce numerous clusters of small dark purple berries and each year I see the trees swarmed by birds looking for a treat. Cardinals, blue jays, cedar waxwings, bluebirds, and the list goes on.
bird1

Speaking of bluebirds, it has taken seven years for them to make a home of the nestboxes I set up in my meadow. They are picky, I suppose.

Bird Studies Canada
In the last year or so I have become closely involved with Bird Studies Canada. I attended the Baillie Bird-a-thon last year and learned just how little I know about birds (seriously, those guys seem to know everything!).
bird2

I have been working with them to develop feeders, seed blends, and nesting boxes. And I have been learning a lot. The world is birds is a fascinating one and I highly encourage you to delve into it. It can be as simple as putting up one feeder and seeing what happens. Or you can be more methodical about it: strategically placing different feeders with different seed around your yard, finding a good bird ID guide, and sitting down with the intention of identifying what comes to your feeders.

Project FeederWatch
Whether you are an avid bird watcher or a casual one, Project FeederWatch is a great way to learn about birds and help out the scientific birding community. When you join, you become a citizen scientist. Because birds span our great country from ocean to ocean to ocean, and Bird Studies Canada doesn’t have eyes and ears to match that distance, they rely on citizens, like you and me, to help them out.
bird3

Becoming a Citizen Scientist
When you become a citizen scientist (detailed instructions found here), you get a bird watching kit that comes with a bird ID poster, bird-feeding information, lots of helpful instructions, a bird watching calendar, tally sheet, quarterly Bird Studies magazine, and access information for entering your data online.

It’s easy! You select your own times to count birds (regular intervals between November and April), choose the place you wish to sit, and keep a tally of the birds that you see at your feeders. You enter your data online using the access information provided and that’s it! You have become a citizen scientist and your data will help bird scientists understand patterns in bird communities across the country.
bird4
It works! Since its inception in 1987, Project FeederWatch has been engaging citizens to help collect scientific data. With over 20,000 participants in North America, bird science has been able to advance in ways it would have never been able to do if it had to rely solely on bird scientists.

It’s cheap (cheep? Sorry, had to go there). It costs only $35. What other family friendly activity can you do for that price these days? Your money goes partly towards the kit you receive but also helps pay for website upkeep, and database updates. More detailed fee information can be found here but I can assure you, the money is going to the right place. Bird Studies Canada is a non-profit organization as is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (their partner in the project).

Next week: feeding the birds in your yard.

← Previous post
Be a Responsible Tomato Grower

Next post →
Feed the Birds…

Search

Recent Posts

  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020
  • Around the Acres this Week November 2, 2020
  • Around the Acres This Week October 23, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Mark Cullen
22 Jan

This spring we are joining gardeners across Canada to plant yellow "Hope is Growing" gardens https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/01/20/show-off-natures-best-shades-of-yellow-with-a-2021-hope-is-growing-garden.html?fbclid=IwAR0J5pqyVf-qgdqTv4wZVlk8K3G9KMmbj7bAojalXlSenjfQBofFeGOlr3Q

Reply on Twitter 1352520011378798593Retweet on Twitter 1352520011378798593Like on Twitter 13525200113787985934
21 Jan

#tbt Last year, @MarkCullen4, pleaded for help in saving Toronto's oldest tree. This year, we are excited to be able to say that it's been saved. City Council voted to cover the remaining cost & purchase the property that this centuries-old tree resides at. https://twitter.com/HOHTribute/status/1214240219135926273

Reply on Twitter 1352327035222417408Retweet on Twitter 13523270352224174085Like on Twitter 135232703522241740813
12 Jan

A review of @suestuartsmith new book - great winter reading! https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/01/12/new-book-cultivates-hope-through-both-the-physical-and-passive-acts-of-gardening.html

Reply on Twitter 1349023794342621191Retweet on Twitter 13490237943426211913Like on Twitter 13490237943426211916
3 Jan

Probably the most important house plant advice that can be given! So many plants die from overwatering! Stick your finger in the dirt. Don’t be afraid 😁 If it’s cool and moist leave it alone! Thanks @MarkCullen4! And thanks @ABurbidge! https://twitter.com/ABurbidge/status/1345484646075740160

Reply on Twitter 1345680506915074049Retweet on Twitter 13456805069150740495Like on Twitter 134568050691507404914

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑