Winter Bird Feeding

For Fun And Science

DERBY — The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s Kellogg Environmental Center invites the general public to a workshop about winter backyard birds, the many fun ways to attract them to a yard, and a worthwhile backyard bird study project suitable for the family.

A workshop planned for November 20, from 9:15 to 11:30 am, will introduce participants to Project FeederWatch, a nationwide, volunteer research effort that monitors the distribution and populations of winter bird species such as house finches, goldfinches, downy woodpeckers, and black-capped chickadees across the country. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology developed the project 15 years ago. Some are the results of those 15 years will be presented.

This activity is well suited for students, teachers, retired individuals, and families that already feed birds in their yards, who have an interest in birds, or who enjoy watching wildlife. Following the workshop, participants will be invited to sign up with Cornell and begin Project FeederWatch in their own backyard or to help with the Kellogg Center’s FeederWatch program at its established bird feeding station.

Handouts and hot refreshments will be available. Also, posters of winter feeder bird species and other items will be made available to the first ten individuals who register.

For further information, directions or to register, phone the Kellogg Environmental Center at 734-2513 between 9 am and 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday. The center is at 500 Hawthorne Avenue, off Route 34 (signs are posted).