The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and UCLA scientists need volunteers as they study the effects of wildfire smoke on birds.
Doctor Olivia Sanderfoot with UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science told KNX News’ Karen Adams they're looking to get up to 1,000 volunteers to commit 10 minutes a week to birdwatch from now through November.
“So, folks go out, they set a timer, and for 10 minutes, they make a note of all the birds that they see and or hear,” she said.
She added that birdwatchers will then log what they see in those 10 minutes into an app called eBird.
“And then on my end, as a scientist with the program, I'm able to download all of that data and use it for my analysis,” she said.
Sanderfoot said they need to know birds’ behavior to better know how to protect nature's ecosystem indicators, which are on the decline.
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“We've lost 3 billion birds in North America over the last 50 years or so,” she said. “Birds face risks due to climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and wildfire smoke may be an additional contributing factor to the story of the loss of birds in our country.”
Those interested do not need to be avid bird watchers to participate.
To sign up, click here.
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