Bird watching is a favorite pastime in South Carolina, which is home to hundreds of year-round and migrating species.
To help novice and avid bird watchers alike, Anderson County Library System has joined with Cornell University to present Project Feeder Watch, a fun way to identify migrating birds who show up in area parks, along hiking trails and in your own backyard.
Started by the Ornithology lab at Cornell University, Project Feeder Watch tracks birds in North America during the migration period of November 15 through April 9, according to the library’s Jennifer Sontag.
“It’s educational, something you can do from your backyard or go to a park and social distance,” Sontag said. “I have really enjoyed the time I’ve spent bird watching since we started this in November.”
Anderson County Library locations are implementing curbside service only at this time, but Project Feeder Watch participants can go the FeederWatch.org to learn how to put up a feeder to attract birds, and how to count birds and enter the data. Participants also can download the free apps, Merlin and Song Sleuth, which help identify bird species by submitting photos and audio clips of bird calls.
When the Anderson County Main Library opens back up, participants can stop by the Children’s Courtyard on Fridays and Saturdays through April 9 to count birds at the courtyard’s bird feeders. Children can identify birds using the library’s poster or the Merlin app, write down their findings on a tally sheet, and receive a free pair of kid-friendly binoculars while supplies last. And a different bird coloring sheet will be available every week.
A Project Feeder Watch participant who had moved from Minnesota recently identified a bird on the library courtyard that a library bird specialist thought had been misidentified.
“Then she saw one herself,” Sontag explained. “Migration patterns are changing and it’s fun to be a part of it.”
All ages are invited to participate in Project Feeder Watch, Sontag said, and all Anderson County findings will be submitted to Cornell University in April.
Ingredients for successful bird watching include a pair of binoculars, a good bird feeder and good bird food, Sontag explained. “In this area, birds love sunflower seeds.”
You can make your own bird feeder by simply finding a large pinecone, smearing it with peanut butter, rolling it in bird seed, then hanging it.
For more information on Project Feeder Watch and other programs of the Anderson County Library System, visit andersonlibrary.org.
