If you’re an avid wildlife watcher but prefer a perch from the warmth and comfort of indoors, give Project FeederWatch a try. With Michigan temps predicted to stay fairly frigid, it may be the coziest way to connect with nature – and collect helpful birding data.

A November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas and other locales in North America, Project FeederWatch is headed up by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada. People of all ages and skill levels are invited to help: children, families, solo seekers, classrooms, retirees, youth groups, nature centers and bird clubs.

While most people focus on birds coming to feeding stations, DNR wildlife biologist Karen Cleveland said a feeder isn’t a necessity.

“The only requirement is having an area from which you like to watch birds; the location and setting are entirely up to you,” she said. “The schedule is flexible, too. Count the birds you see every week or once all winter. You choose how much time you put into it.”

Participants send their tallies to become part of a collective database, and FeederWatch scientists analyze the data to draw conclusions about winter bird abundance and distribution.

What might you see? Cleveland said the possibilities are many, but likely species include dark-eyed juncos, woodpeckers and American goldfinches. No matter which feathered friends find their way into your view, each one provides valuable data to better understand birding trends.

Questions? For more on Project FeederWatch and winter birding in Michigan, contact Karen Cleveland at 517-388-9795.