How can we understand how climate change is affecting birds? Audubon’s Climate Watch is working to do just that. Climate Watch is a community science program exploring how North American birds are responding to climate change. Since 2016, volunteers have been collecting data that enable Audubon scientists to research how some bird species have shifted their ranges.

Anyone can participate in this project as a citizen scientist by observing birds using a specific protocol. During winter (January 15 to February 15) and summer (May 15 to June 15) each year, Climate Watch volunteers conduct counts of specific target species in their area, including bluebirds, nuthatches, towhees, goldfinches, and buntings depending on the location. A series of 12 five-minute point counts are conducted within a 10kmx10km square, usually focusing on one or two target species at a time. Here in Columbus, there are counts for White-breasted Nuthatches being conducted in almost every survey square that covers the general area. According to Climate Watch data, climate suitability for White-breasted Nuthatches is worsening in Columbus and slightly worsening in the surrounding areas.

For one participant, taking part in Climate Watch wasn’t just about the data – it was about exploring nature through new parks and seeing new birds. Christine Castano has been birdwatching casually for several years around her home in Los Angeles, CA and is a member of the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society. She started to get serious about birding over the past few months and participated in her local Christmas Bird Count. In an effort to take further action to help birds, she signed up to participate in this year’s summer Climate Watch surveys.

Christine spends a lot of time here in Columbus, OH visiting her new granddaughter. Splitting her time between California and Ohio gave her a unique opportunity to conduct Climate Watch surveys in two separate states. “I did the Climate Watch survey in my ‘home’ square right after it opened, and since coming out here I just completed the survey for the square that included my home, and fortuitously, also Blendon Woods, looking for Eastern Bluebirds and American Goldfinches,” says Christine.

For Christine, Climate Watch was an opportunity to explore new areas and see new birds. “I really enjoy seeing new birding places and getting to know my environs through parks and open spaces (instead of just freeways and restaurants!),” Christine explains. In addition to the Bluebirds and Goldfinches that she focused on surveying for here in Columbus, Christine saw a multitude of other birds like a Red-shouldered Hawk that was hanging out in a tree Parkridge Park being bothered by Robins. Living in SoCal, she sees Anna’s and Allen’s Hummingbirds constantly, so spotting a Ruby-throated Hummingbird during her Climate Watch survey in Ohio was a real treat and a lifer for her! “All in all, it has been a great experience and a privilege to collect Climate Watch data in 2 disparate locations, and I am hopeful my travel plans in the winter will allow me to do both again,” says Christine.

To learn more about how you can participate in Climate Watch, visit audubon.org/climatewatch or reach out to local coordinator and GIAC staff member Fiona McCarthy at fiona.mccarthy@audubon.org.