If you have a bird feeder in your backyard, or you’re thinking of getting one, Project FeederWatch is your chance to contribute to scientific research-even if you’re homebound because of age or illness. Just look out your window into your backyard! It’s a survey that extends throughout the winter of birds that visit feeders in backyards, nature centers, and community areas in North America. Volunteers periodically count the birds they see at their feeders, and report their findings to Project FeederWatch. You can participate at any time between November through early April. Anyone, at any age, anywhere, with an interest in birds can take part in the project. This citizen science project welcomes people of all skill levels and backgrounds, including children, families, individuals, classrooms, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers, and bird clubs. The data you help collect is used by scientists to track broadscale movements of winter birds and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. The results are published regularly in scientific journals (another indication of the substantial value of citizen science to researchers) and are shared with ornithologists and bird lovers nationwide.

http://feederwatch.org/