The 18th annual Oklahoma Winter Bird Survey monitors 52 bird species that commonly appear in Oklahoma during the winter. Participants in the survey help state biologists at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation track population trends in the state’s winter birds and can provide clues into potential conservation issues. The dates for this year’s survey are January 8 – January 11.
Any Oklahoman with a backyard bird feeder can participate by choosing any two days between Jan. 8-11 to count birds at their feeders and record their observations. With participants observing birds across the state for four days straight, biologists can obtain important information that can help the Department better understand bird ranges and populations.
The survey includes counting birds at backyard feeders at least four times a day for two days during the survey dates and completing a form provided by the Wildlife Department. For detailed instructions and to take the survey, log on to the Wildlife Department’s Winter Bird Feeder Survey Web site at www.okwinterbirds.com as the survey period approaches. The Web site is an extensive bird-watching resource, providing information such as bird identification tips, diets, feeding behaviors and winter ranges as well as links to other birding Web sites. The site also provides detailed recipes that bird watchers can follow for making healthy, beneficial bird attractants that will draw birds to their yards.
The 52 common Oklahoma winter species appear on the on-line Winter Bird Survey form found here.