Possibly the biggest of all “Sporting Seasons” is about to begin for the largest number of outdoor participants in Michigan. No, it’s not the deer season. Instead, it’s the time of year when thousands of people fill and begin to watch their bird feeders.

We’ve so far had a remarkably warm fall and early winter, one of the final effects of EI Nino according to weather experts. As a result, the usual migrations of birds have slowed somewhat. But as January arrives, so surely must we expect serious amounts of snow and ice, and backyard bird feeders begin to be regularly stocked. Birds that winter over in Michigan depend mightily on these food stations and thousands of people enjoy watching their regular visits.

Each year the ranks of observers swell as Christmas presents of feeders and seeds are exchanged. Recently, folks are even being invited to participate in the scientific evaluations of bird numbers as they watch their feeders. The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology (CLO) and the National Audubon Society (NAS) have already co-sponsored two national bird counts, inviting average citizens to observe and count visitors to their feeders and then report the results.

The Great ’98 Backyard Bird Count that took place between February 20 and 22 of that year helped scientists confirm suspicions that El Nino somewhat influenced some migrations. Notably, robins and red-winged blackbirds tended to winter further north and in greater numbers.

The Warbler Watch, which took place in the spring, sought information on several threats that caused severe declines in their numbers. Habitat loss, forest fragmentation and cowbird parasitism (where cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds) are examples. Information helped in the administration of conversation measures to control these problems.

But before I go further on watch involvements I need to stress the importance of serious feeder maintaining. Birds count on feeder food once they start using it. Erratic maintenance can be fatal to birds during severe winter conditions and can lead to useless information reports if operators are not feeding birds regularly.

The general public is invited to GOOGLE, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology for the last information on birds and on possible ways to become involved in studies.

The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology is a membership institute, dedicated to the study, appreciation and conservation of birds worldwide. It maintains programs in academic research, public education and citizen science to foster understanding about nature and the importance of the earth’s biological diversity.

Founded in 1903 and supported by over 550,000 members in 518 chapters throughout the Americas, the National Audubon Society strives to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

But if watching birds in a scientific manner is not of interest, there is a lighthearted information source being provided that is full of laughs as well as solid information. It’s called the “Dick E. Bird News.” Once a newspaper but no longer in print, it can still be enjoyed by GOOGLING At Dick E. Bird News.

My wife and I often wonder at the variety and antics of our feeder visitors. Getting involved with bird feeding has been enjoyable for us for years.