Numerous bird species migrate and/or alter their diets each
winter in response to the changing seasons. Even in the
short and usually mild winters of South Texas, many species--such
as Northern mockingbird, tufted titmouse, Northern
cardinal, and house finch--augment their diets with seed
from birdfeeders.
To help scientists track changes in the abundance, health,
and distribution of wild bird species, the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology has conducted a census of North American bird
species each winter since 1987.
The Feederwatch project is primarily self-sustaining,
relying on a reasonable annual membership fee of $15 per
participant or school. In 1996-1997, over 11,000 people from
across North America participated in Project Feederwatch,
including 256 individuals from Texas. Given our state's
tremendous avian diversity, I feel certain that if more
Texas bird and nature lovers knew of this project, they too
would join.
Justin and I have been Feederwatch members for the past two
years, and have seen our appreciation and knowledge of wild
bird species increase dramatically as a result. The program
can be enjoyed by everyone from retirees to classes of grade
and high school students and entire families.
Feederwatching is simple. All you need is at least one bird
feeder that you observe for two consecutive days every
couple weeks. You can watch for as little or as long as you
like, and you don't have to be an expert who can identify a
golden-cheeked warbler while blindfolded.
Upon joining Project Feederwatch, you receive an information
packet and data booklet for submitting your observations at
winter's end. Included in the data packet are two full-color
posters featuring common feeder birds of eastern and
western North America. Everything you need to know about
feederwatching, including what to stock your feeder(s) with,
is included in the information packet.
Although annual counts begin in November and end in April,
you may join Project Feederwatch at any time. For more
information visit the Project Feederwatch website at:
http://birds.cornell.edu/PFW/
Join today! You won't regret it.
Arriving at our Palmetto State Park campsite last weekend,
Justin and I were delighted to find it full of prairie
spiderworts. What *is* a spiderwort, you ask? The spiderwort
is neither an arachnid nor a medical condition; rather, it
is a gorgeous wildflower with royal blue, purple, or dark
pink blossoms. I hope to include one of our photos when
we post the Palmetto trip report in the next week or so. Until then,
start scouting out wildflower viewing sites near you and let
us know about them.
Some of the Frequently Asked Questions we receive:
Q: When is the best time to see/photograph Texas wildflowers?
A: The wildflowers start to appear in Texas during the last
two weeks of March, peaking during the first two weeks of
April. Texas bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis), the State
flower, are especially noticeable along the Interstate
highway roadsides and medians. For more information on
wildflowers, visit the National Wildflower Research Center
which is based in Austin, Texas. Their web site is
located at: http://www.wildflower.org/
