Calendar of Events
To celebrate the 40th anniversary season of Project FeederWatch, we have planned a special series of virtual events! Join us each month this season (November 1–April 30) to connect with our team, learn more about birds, and reflect on 40 years of FeederWatch. From webinars to trivia nights to panels and more, we are ecstatic to connect with FeederWatchers and bird enthusiasts across North America! Read on to learn more about this season’s events. Please note that some of our events are open only to active FeederWatchers, but others are open to the general public.
We look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary with you this season!
Events for FeederWatchers
Each season, we host a series of virtual events exclusively for active FeederWatch participants. These events are designed to connect FeederWatchers, build community, and support participants in learning about the birds at their count sites. This season, we’re engaging the FeederWatch community through workshops, trivia nights, bird cam watch parties, and more! Scroll down to view a list of participant-only events this season.
We will email all active FeederWatchers (that is, those signed up for the 2026–2027 season) a link to register for each event at least one week in advance. There is no cap on attendance—we will be able to accommodate everyone. If you are unable to attend, no worries! We will upload recordings of all events for later viewing.
In addition to our virtual event series, this year we are hosting a special in-person weekend-long celebration at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to honor some of our longest-serving FeederWatchers in the United States. Stay tuned for news on special programming from Birds Canada to recognize the contributions of some of our most outstanding participants in Canada!
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
October 2–3, 2026 | FeederWatch 40th Anniversary Party | To celebrate our 40th anniversary season, we are inviting FeederWatchers based in the U.S. to join us for an exclusive weekend-long party at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York. Over two days, you’ll meet FeederWatchers from across the United States, connect with the people behind the scenes, explore the Lab, and enjoy a variety of bird-themed activities. Together, we’ll celebrate the history and future of FeederWatch and toast to four decades of participatory science. Update 10/26/2026: Find recordings to all the talks and presentations from our weekend celebration linked in our FeederWatch 40th Anniversary Party Recap here. |
October 29, 2026 1 p.m. EST | Season Kick-off Webinar | Join us as we kick off the 40th season of Project FeederWatch! This Zoom webinar is open to all active FeederWatch participants for the 2026–2027 season. Tune in to meet the FeederWatch team, learn more about our program goals and research objectives, review our count protocol, and explore tools and resources available to make your season a success! Whether you’re returning for another year or participating for the first time, this event is a great way to connect with the FeederWatch community and ask all your questions about how to FeederWatch before the season begins. |
November 12, 2026 7 p.m. EST | Species ID Workshop: Common Feeder Birds | Open to all active FeederWatch participants for the 2026–2027 season, this Common Feeder Birds identification workshop is designed to help you build confidence in identifying the birds you’re most likely to see at your feeders. We’ll cover key field marks and provide tips for distinguishing similar species. Following the webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to put your knowledge to the test with a fun round of bird trivia! Whether you’re new to the world of birds or looking to sharpen your species identification skills, this workshop is a great way to help you prepare for your next FeederWatch count. |
January 28, 2027 1 p.m. EST | Bird Cams Watch Party | Flock together to explore the Lab’s live feeder cams! Join fellow FeederWatchers for an evening of flight to various feeder cams, exploring the dazzling birds at each site. You never know which species might stop by to say hello! |
February 19, 2027 7 p.m. EST | Trivia Night! | Put your knowledge of winter birds to the test in a friendly competition with fellow FeederWatchers and members of our partnering bird organizations. Whether you’re an experienced birder or just beginning your birding journey, everyone is welcome to participate. |
April 8, 2027 1 p.m. EST | Species ID Workshop: Warblers | Just in time for spring migration, join the Project FeederWatch team to learn more about identifying common warblers across North America! We’ll explore tricky field marks, behaviors, and habitats of various warbler species. Whether you’re interested in learning more about the warblers that might visit your count site this spring or looking to strengthen your birding skills, this workshop will help you feel more confident spotting and identifying these colorful migrants. |
Want to join the fun?
Join us for our upcoming 40th anniversary season and be part of the FeederWatch community. You’ll receive invitations to our participant-only events and our biweekly e-newsletter, packed with stories about birds and the people who cherish them.
Public Events
To celebrate 40 years of Project FeederWatch, we’re hosting a series of virtual events open to the public. All bird enthusiasts are invited to join us for these special events celebrating the people, science, and stories that have shaped Project FeederWatch over the past four decades! Through this series, we hope to share the science and success of FeederWatch more broadly and inspire more folks to join this storied program.
| Date | Event | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
December 12, 2026 1 p.m. EST | In Conversation with Long-time FeederWatchers | Please join us for a lively discussion celebrating the most important people behind Project FeederWatch—our participants. Hear from several long-time participants as they share personal FeederWatch stories, memorable experiences, favorite feeder bird sightings, and more. Whether you’re a dedicated FeederWatcher, an avid birder, or simply curious to learn more about Project FeederWatch, this event offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the folks who have made this program one of the longest-running participatory science projects globally. | Register Here! |
January 02, 2026 11 a.m. EST | Virtual Story Hour | Open to bird lovers of all ages, join Dr. Olivia Sanderfoot, leader of Project FeederWatch, and her son Owen as they share some of their favorite bird-themed storybooks and celebrate the joy of birds through reading. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to cozy up after the holidays! | Register Here! |
March 19, 2027 1 p.m. EST | Panel with FeederWatch Scientists | This public event invites bird enthusiasts, scientists, and curious learners alike to go behind the scenes of Project FeederWatch. Come meet the scientists who help turn participant observations into meaningful research as they discuss landmark FeederWatch studies and current projects. You’ll learn more about how FeederWatch data contribute to conservation science. Together, we’ll reflect on what four decades of participatory science have taught us about birds and what we will continue to learn in community. | Register Here! |
May 28, 2027 1 p.m. EST | Celebrating 40 Years of FeederWatch | Join us in celebrating the conclusion of Project FeederWatch’s 40th anniversary season. Together, we’ll reflect on the program’s history, highlight the discoveries made possible by participant observations, and look ahead to the future of FeederWatch. Whether you’ve been counting birds with us for decades or are just now learning about the project, we invite you to celebrate this remarkable milestone with us. | Register Here! |
