Project's
instructions
You
are taking the first steps in adding natural beauty to
your yard, while participating in research to protect the Earth's
biodiversity. By doing so,
you are contributing to the
efforts to conserve some of the most beautiful birds on earth - HUMMINGBIRDS.
Data will be collected
continuously (especially during the period of April through November,
when relatively many hummingbird species are active in the
area).
This is a scientific
study done at the University of Arizona. For the data to be useful
and valuable it is crucial that you
follow the project's procedures. This will equalize the methods
used across the different yards and will enable valuable statistical
comparisons.
Should
you have any comments, questions or problems, please email Alona
at alona@email.arizona.edu.
We thank you for participating
in this project and hope you enjoy it.
Procedures:
- Sign up for the project. The information
you supply will be used to contact you, as well
as for analysis of the factors affecting hummingbird distribution.
- Choose how many hummingbird
feeders you have, or will add to your
yard (0 feeders
is also an option). Hang
the feeders so they are at least 6 feet apart. Hang them high enough
so cats can't attack the
hummingbirds. Make sure you can watch all
the feeders at once, so you can collect the data accurately and
conveniently. Fill the feeders and maintain them according
to the feeder
instructions.
- Learn to identify hummingbird species
that are common in or around Tucson. For
the purposes of this study, it is crucial that you identify
the males. Collecting data on females
and juveniles is optional.
Soon
after you register for the project, we will send you the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum's hummingbird-identification pocket-guide. An
excellent way to learn to identify hummingbirds is spending
time watching them
in the hummingbird aviary at the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum, where you can use your guide and then verify
your identification with the posted signs and staff at the
aviary. Once you begin collecting data on the hummers in your
yard, we will contact you and if needed, send someone to assist
you in learning to ID the birds.
- Now you are ready to start collecting information
about the hummingbirds in your yard. Decide whether you will
be collecting only abundance data, or data on abundance & behavior.
Accordingly, download the data
collection sheets.
Choose one morning a week to relax
and observe hummingbirds in your yard,
while
filling out the data sheets. Observe the hummers for half an hour,
anytime between sunrise and 9:00
AM.
These are hours of high hummingbird activity.
If you currently don't have any feeders in your yard and
intend to add them, start monitoring hummingbirds and collecting the data 3 weeks
prior to hanging the feeders. Please make a note of that in the comments of the
data sheets.
- Finally, Report your findings through
this web site.
After you join the project, data should be collected once a week
continuously, at least through November. However, if you
have to miss a week for some reason,
please
write it under the comments in the data sheets.
Make sure you check this web site for updates throughout the
season. Thank you.
Enjoy,
Learn, Make a difference!
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