You may have heard about the songbird illness affecting fledgling birds in many Eastern states this spring and summer. Several of these Eastern states issued restrictions on bird baths and feeders in an attempt to curb the spread of illness. By early September, all states have lifted their do not feed recommendations due to decreasing reports of bird illness. Please note: DEC did not issue a special summer notice as the agency recommends removing feeders annually between April 1st and November 29th to prevent unwanted black bear activity. To view up to date information and recommendations, visit Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds. 

For Bird Focused Citizen/Community Science programs for your classroom, visit Project Feederwatch from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This program runs November-April and can be done right from your classroom window, schoolyard, or neighborhood park! No feeders? No problem! You can still participate by noting the habitat, food and water sources available to birds in your area.

HawkCount is the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) Raptor Migration Database. Begin at the New to Hawkwatching page to learn about hawks, migration, and when and where to look for them. Use the Junior Hawkwatcher Program materials to customize for your own program!

eBird is a great tool for reporting your bird sightings and exploring birding hotspots in your area to see what birds have been spotted nearby!

Download DEC’s Beginning Guide to Birding in English (PDF) and I BIRD NY: una guia de observacion de aves para principiantes (PDF) to get started identifying birds in your neighborhood.

Photo by Tim Rowland/Almanack file photo