Birders Count Nuthatches, Bluebirds In Climate Project

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Volunteer birdwatchers are counting bluebirds and nuthatches in a citizen science project launched by the National Audubon Society.

The 2019 Climate Watch project is designed to help scientists understand how birds are impacted by global warming. Participating Audubon chapters and centers in New York state are doing the winter surveys from Jan. 15 through Feb. 15.

Climate Watch focuses on bluebirds and nuthatches because the ranges of these species cover most of the United States and are anticipated to experience climatic changes. The question is how the birds will respond to the changes.

In addition to the winter survey, there's also a summer survey from May 15 to June 15.