Birds are barometers of change. Their close relationship with plants and insects allow them to tell us when things are changing in our environment. Climate change is the biggest threat to birds around the world, as two thirds of North American species are at risk of extinction due to its impact.

The good news is there are plenty of opportunities to protect birds from this threat, and Audubon volunteers and scientists are working hard to understand what birds are telling us about what is happening. People can help tell the story of the birds we love by collecting vital information on how they are already shifting their ranges in response to climate change.

Audubon’s community science program, Climate Watch, is a way to contribute even in a small personal way to efforts that will benefit the birds now and in the future. Climate Watch began after Audubon’s first climate change report in 2014, when thousands of people asked how they could help make the world a better place for birds.

Volunteers have collected data which scientists are able to use in researching how birds are responding to climate change and shifting their ranges. The 2019 report, “Survival By Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink,” demonstrates how vital the program has become in supplying data for assessing environmental impact.

Anyone interested can help by observing birds in their areas, using some easy, specific guidelines. Each winter and summer, Climate Watch volunteers head out to nearby spots where species are expected to appear. These observations can help reveal whether birds are keeping up with the changes in their environment, as well as give clues to what challenges they face, and how to help them.

All over North America, Climate Watch volunteers complete counts in their local areas, gaining useful monitoring and data entry skills, ensuring that trends from targeted species will be represented in the national analysis. The data is valuable; Climate Watch reports back the findings directly to those who volunteer so they can see just how much their efforts are contributing to understanding bird range shifts.

The Climate Watch details and website can be found at audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch

Due to the current pandemic, no volunteers will be conducting observations and surveys for the 2020 spring period. The next survey will take place Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2021, and is open to the public, including all Audubon chapters and centers, community groups, and organized groups or individuals with an interest in birds.

Photo credit: Karen Jettmar Alamy