Gifted Atlanta

I’m always excited to pass along opportunities for kids to take part in real scientific research. If you have birds in your back yard, you can participate in two different citizen science projects this winter and spring.

Each of these projects brings in data from thousands of people to help scientists track bird populations and migrations. This data provides scientists clues into how birds are being affected by climate change and suburban development, among other factors.

First, the Great Backyard Bird Count will start this Friday, Feb. 15, and continue through Monday, Feb. 18. Now in its 22nd year, this worldwide project is a cooperative effort between the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Bird Studies Canada.

To participate, you’ll count the birds you see in your back yard for as little as 15 minutes on any of the four days. You can do more than one day, or watch longer if you want. Then, you submit the data you’ve gathered using an online form.

The second opportunity is Project Feederwatch, which runs longer and is slightly different. This year’s Project Feederwatch kicked off in November and will continue through early April. The project is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada.

When you join Project Feederwatch, you’ll receive a research kit by mail with complete instructions. That can take a few weeks, but you can start counting even before you receive your kit. You’ll count birds no more than once a week and submit your observations online.

Not only can you collect data for either of these projects, but you can also view the data being collected all over the world — a great opportunity to see scientific research in action.