Backyard Bird Survey Citizen Science

Paper and pencil for data sheets

A clipboard to write on

Binoculars for distant birds (optional but fun)

A bird field guide or the free Merlin Bird ID app

Timer or phone stopwatch

Colored pencils for graphing results

Choose your spot: backyard, park bench, or school playground — anywhere with trees, bushes, or feeders nearby.

Make a data sheet with columns: Time, Species, Count, Behavior, Location.

If possible, set up a bird feeder the day before. Sunflower seeds attract the widest variety.

Bring a field guide or ID app for reference.

Sit quietly. Set a timer for 15 minutes.

Record every bird you see or hear. Note the time, species (or describe it), count, behavior, and location.

For birds you hear but can't see, write 'heard only' and describe the call. Bird ID apps can identify songs.

After 15 minutes, tally results: total birds, number of species, most common species.

Create a bar graph: species on the x-axis, count on the y-axis.

Repeat the survey at a different time of day and compare. Discuss why bird activity changes — early morning is usually busiest because birds feed after the overnight fast.

The 15-minute timed survey is a real protocol used by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Kids are doing actual citizen science, which is deeply motivating.

Don't worry about perfect ID. 'Small brown bird with yellow belly' is valid. Skills develop over multiple surveys as kids recognize repeat visitors.

Morning surveys (7-9 AM) yield 2-3x more birds than afternoon. Comparing both teaches why timing matters in research.

If maintaining the feeder becomes a regular chore, it teaches responsibility. Kids who feed birds daily notice seasonal changes.

After several surveys, submit data to eBird (ebird.org). Knowing observations contribute to real science is empowering for kids.