FeederWatch
BIRDWATCHING in feeders (FeederWatch)
A practice widespread among US birdwatchers and Canada, among others, is the FeederWatch or feeders watching.
Although the term mean in pure translation “observe feeders”, is understood to observe birds at feeders.
This activity is developed more in the winter when the birds look for other food alternatives, given the lack in nature. It is highly publicized and encouraged by NGOs and institutions such as the famous Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, which have a design for over 20 years successfully (see http://feederwatch.org), which also promote community involvement and species counts etc.
To deploy a bird feeder is very simple, just put some favorite foods for the birds of the region, such as fruit with oranges, watermelons, avocados and certain seeds in a garden, even if it is small, arranged directly on walls or in shallow bowls.
Also attract birds a place to bath (Birdbath), which can be a shallow container of water or a water fountain that has a shallow area because birds need security to bath.
With this we can attract most species of birds in the area.
But be careful when making your feeder, adapting the system to avoid facilitating predators like cats.
Then just have fun photographing them, filming them, or simply enjoying them.
Birdwatching in feeders has many purposes, such as:
– Is an important factor in environmental education;
– Can help surveys of species in the region;
– Provides data that can help in the distribution and monitoring of birds;
– It is a tool of behavioral studies of birds, such as territorial, food etc.
– It may be important for environmental impact studies;
– And enables the bird watching to people with physical disabilities in general;
So in addition to a very pleasurable leisure activity, may have educational and scientific purposes.
So get to work, study a little about the birds in your area, the best location, which adequate food, safety from predators and mount your bird feeder. And it is, of course, advised seek the assistance of an ornithologist or biologist birder, and join the world of feeders birdwatchers (FeederWatchers).
By Antonio Silveira (Environmental Program: The Last Noah’s Ark , www.aultimaarcadenoe.com.br)
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Antonio Silveira: 07/8/2016.