Nuthatches are among 170 bird species in North Carolina whose ranges are expected to shift and shrink due to a changing climate, according to Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report released in 2014. A fun community science project is taking flight to understand how birds are reacting to climate change and how humans can prepare for these changes.

Climate Watch aims to document species’ responses to climate change by having volunteers in the field look for birds where Audubon’s climate models project range expansion and loss by the 2020s.

Climate Watch focuses on species with the strongest predictions in the climate models. Specifically in North Carolina, Climate Watch participants are asked to look for the three species of nuthatches: White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown-headed Nuthatch.

Join the Watch

1. Sign-up

Email your name and address to a Climate Watch coordinator near you. If your bird club or organization is interested in participating, please email kbrand@audubon.org.

Participate in the Watch:

• Asheville area – Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society - Contact Tom Tribble, tntribble@gmail.com
• Brevard area – Transylvania County Bird Club – contact Michael Plauche captainbluegill@gmail.com
• Burnsville/Yancey County area – High Peaks Birders - Contact Russ Oates, rmoates54@gmail.com
• Boone area – High Country Audubon Society - Contact Bob Cherry, bcherry001@gmail.com
• Charlotte area – Mecklenburg Audubon Society - Contact Ken Kneidel, kenkneidel@gmail.com
• Durham/Orange/Chatham counties - New Hope Audubon Society - Contact Marcia Mandel, marciamandel1@gmail.com
• Greensboro area – T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society - Contact Lynn Moseley, lmoseley@guilford.edu
• Highlands/Franklin area – Franklin Bird Club and Highlands Plateau Audubon Society - Contact Jean Hunnicutt, jeanronhunnicutt@gmail.com
• Raleigh area – Wake Audubon Society - Contact Lena Gallitano, lbg@ncsu.edu
• Winston-Salem area – Forsyth Audubon - Contact Ron Morris, ronmorris@triad.rr.com
• Wilmington area – Cape Fear Audubon Society - Contact Charley Winterbauer, cewinterbauer@bellsouth.net
   

2. Hone your nuthatch finding skills

Make sure you can identify the three species by sight and sound.

Hear a White-breasted Nuthatch Get more information	Hear a Brown-headed Nuthatch Get more information	Hear a Red-breasted Nuthatch Get more information

3. Get ready for the survey times

Climate Watch will occur over two 15-day periods each year, in the winter and in the breeding season: January 15-30 and June 1-15.

Learn more http://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch-pilot-program