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:

• Asheville area – Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter - 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 Bill Miller, fieldpeas@ccvn.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 Mary Frazer, frazem4@hotmail.com
• Sandhills area -- Contact Bridget Smith, bsmith1@smithint.com
• Winston-Salem area – Forsyth Audubon - Contact Ron Morris, ronmorris@triad.rr.com
• Wilmington area – Cape Fear Audubon Society - Contact Charley Winterbauer, cewinterbauer39@gmail.com
   

2. Hone your nuthatch finding skills

Make sure you can identify the target 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 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