Data Entry Contest: Who do you like to FeederWatch with?
For the ninth season in a row, Project FeederWatch and our sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited are rewarding registered FeederWatchers with the chance to win prizes. Celestron has joined the fun by offering one pair of binoculars to each data entry contest winner as well. After entering counts into the FeederWatch website, on the submission confirmation page, participants have the opportunity to share a story, memory, or tip by clicking the “Enter to Win” button. Two winners will be selected at random per prompt. Our second Data Entry Contest prompt of the 38th season was:
Who do you like to FeederWatch with? Do you appreciate solitude, or do you watch with a friend?
Congratulations to our winners, Jennifer Gaus-Myers and Gwen Keeble!
Jennifer shared:
Generally, I FeederWatch alone, but I’m OK with that. Give me the newspaper and a cup of coffee, maybe a roaring fire on a frigid day like today, and I’m a happy girl. Although, my 17 year old son, who likes to photograph birds in the field, wanders in and out and I keep him apprised of what I see…like today’s Fox Sparrow!
Fox Sparrows and other photograph-worthy sparrow species may be more likely to visit your yard if you offer habitat in the form of brush piles. A brush pile can offer cover and protection when in the presence of predators. They may also serve as a safe place to perch before reaching feeders (and a great place for a photo op)! Find more ways to enhance your habitat for birds on our Gardening for Birds page.
Gwen shared:
I have two college-age kids and when they are home, I love to point out the different birds to them by name. They have both taken enough interest that they can now ID a few bird species themselves! I love the idea that I’m planting a seed (a love of birds and conservation) in them. As a kid, my grandmother showed us how to make birdseed balls with pine cones, peanut butter and seed. I love the idea that I’m continuing [to share] her love of nature and ecology.
If there’s someone you’d like to share your love of birds with, invite them to FeederWatch with you! While you watch the birds together, consider showing them the Cornell Lab’s Merlin Bird ID app – a helpful tool for birders of any skill level. Merlin acts as a pocket ID guide and offers several different ways to help you identify birds. It’s a great way to involve your friends and family in your favorite hobby and fosters a love for nature.
Thanks to everyone who participated and shared their stories for this prompt – we wish we could share all of your submissions! Email feederwatch@cornell.edu with questions, and read the stories from past winners on our blog. Stay tuned for when we announce the next winners of our next data entry contest on February 11th, 2025.
Interested in becoming a FeederWatcher? Join the fun now!
