FIELD NOTES: NEW ENGLAND — EPISODE 1

Birdwatching Is Conservation: Why Local Observations Matter Planet-Wide

Birdwatching is a hobby for some. For conservationists like me, it’s not entertainment—it’s monitoring. We collect field data that scientists around the planet can use, whether certain people take it seriously or not.

In this episode (“battle cry for birds”), I talk about:

• Why birds are powerful indicators of ecosystem health

• A personal field note: hummingbirds arriving earlier in Massachusetts

• Project FeederWatch (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

• What food attracts what birds

• No-mess seed: what it is, why it’s cleaner, and why it’s often better value

• Responsible feeding: cleanliness, water in winter, safer windows, and what “sick bird” signs can look like

FIELD NOTES CHALLENGE:

Set a timer for 10 minutes. Watch. Write down what you see. Then take one action—clean a feeder, refresh food/water, or make windows safer.

PRODUCTS + LINKS

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

WINDOW SAFETY (UV CLINGS)

https://amzn.to/4qKTOMg

https://amzn.to/499BPZT

https://amzn.to/49oMHBP

https://amzn.to/3YprdQv

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WATER

Heated Bird Bath

https://amzn.to/49ayk5n

FEEDER HYGIENE / MAINTENANCE

Feeder Fresh

https://amzn.to/4jtE65q

Tube Feeder Cleaning Brush

https://amzn.to/4qIYwKq

Hummingbird Feeder Cleaning Brush

https://amzn.to/49motbr

FEEDERS / ACCESSORIES

Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder

https://amzn.to/4qddw3j

Tube Seed Tray

https://amzn.to/4qHZias

Brome Seed Tray

https://amzn.to/4aJ3Kkx

Upside-down feeder

https://amzn.to/3Z5a8eE

Starling Proof Suet Feeder

https://amzn.to/3YprEu7

https://amzn.to/4suHTnm

Squirrel Shield

https://amzn.to/3Nej4f9

Deck Hook

https://amzn.to/4sz4y1W

https://amzn.to/3Z0UEII

STORAGE

Birdseed Super Tote

https://amzn.to/3NgyxLK

https://amzn.to/3Z6aRfC

FEED

Hot Pepper Suet Nuggets

https://amzn.to/49IlcVh

SOURCES & FURTHER READING

• Project FeederWatch: https://feederwatch.org/about/how-to-participate/

• FeederWatch season details (Nov 1–Apr 30): https://feederwatch.org/about/detailed-instructions/choose-count-days/

• Birds as environmental indicators: https://www.environmentalscience.org/birds-environmental-indicators

• Preventing window collisions: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/how-can-i-keep-birds-from-hitting-my-windows/