This month, the Orange County Audubon Society (OCAS) launched Orange County’s participation in the Climate Watch bird count. This community science program designed by the National Audubon Society to help scientists better understand how birds are impacted by our warming planet is conducted by volunteers semi-annually, in winter and spring. All collected count data is used to prioritize conservation of the places birds need, now and in the future. OCAS volunteers conducted surveys at 24 Orange County locations.

“Citizen science opportunities like Climate Watch allow people to be part of the larger scientific community and gain a greater understanding of the natural world right in their backyards,” said SUNY Orange student Zoe Maxfield, who acted as data compiler and co-coordinator for this winter survey. “Helping preserve habitats at home is a great way to get people interested in conservation efforts occurring globally.”

The goal of Climate Watch is to capture changes in the wintering and breeding activity of bluebirds and nuthatches. We focus on these two target species because their ranges cover most of the United States and are anticipated to experience effects of climatic changes, such as shrinking, shifting, or expand ranges. The question is how the birds will respond. In New York, volunteers count Eastern Bluebirds, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and White-breasted Nuthatches.

“Audubon’s 2014 research revealed that about half of all bird species in the United States are at risk of worsening conditions in the places they live if climate change continues at the current pace,” said Dr. Brooke Bateman, senior climate scientist at National Audubon Society. “Climate Watch is a way to test that research and provide key information about what help birds may need right now as they experience climate change.”

OCAS will conduct local surveys once again during the summer survey period from May 15 to June 15. Volunteers interested in participating may contact them at info@orangecountyNYaudubon.org.