White-Breasted Nuthatch - Nick Saunders/Great Backyard Bird Count

White-Breasted Nuthatch Photo: Nick Saunders/Great Backyard Bird Count

Climate

Watching for Nuthatches and Bluebirds

Fun community science project to understand how birds are reacting to climate change

Nuthatches are among 205 bird species in North Carolina -- and nearly two-thirds of North American birds (389 of 604 species) -- that are at risk of extinction if we continue business as usual on climate change, according to Audubon’s Survival By Degrees report released in October 2019. 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 tnuthatches (White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown-headed Nuthatch), Eastern Bluebirds, American Goldfinches, Eastern Towhees, and Painted Buntings. 

Join Climate 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 kim.brand@audubon.org.

Participate in Climate Watch:

2. Hone your nuthatch finding skills

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

White-Breasted Nuthatch - Nick Saunders/GBBC
White-Breasted Nuthatch Photo: Nick Saunders/Great Backyard Bird Count
Brown-headed Nuthatch BHNU Will Stuart
Brown-headed Nuthatch Photo: Will Stuart
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Megumi Aita/Audubon Photography Awards
Red-breasted Nuthatch Photo: Megumi Aita/Audubon Photography Awards

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 periods each year, in the winter and in the breeding season: January 15 through February 15 and May 15 through June 15.

Learn more https://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch

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How you can help, right now