Ornithological research plays an important role understanding conservation and ecology. Studies of bird populations, habitats, and flyways can help with assessment of the overall health of the environment and help us understand the ecosystem of a particular region. Research helps identify factors that affect our birds and enables us to better understand the relationship between species within a habitat.
DOAS coordinates and leads several research programs each year including: Migration Counts and transect studies (at the DOAS Franklin Mountain Sanctuary Hawk Watch and Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park); the Appalachian Golden Eagle Project; Golden Eagle Research Program; and the Kestrel Project – a nest box program for American Kestrels in our region.
The general public can assist with research through some of the above programs as well as through various Citizen Science projects. Citizen Science projects are typically used for data collection. Some of these include the annual Christmas Bird Count (in our area, DOAS oversees two areas – Otsego County and the Fort Plain region), Project Feederwatch (through Cornell Lab of Ornithology), and the Great Backyard Bird Count (a collaborative project that runs for a weekend each February.
To get involved with any of the above programs, please email us with a message at DOAS or speak with one of our board members at a member meeting!
Migration Counts
Appalachian Eagle Project
Golden Eagles
Kestrel Project
