Ornithologists from UCLA and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are looking for volunteers to join Project Phoenix, a citizen science initiative focused on how birds respond to wildfires. This project is open to anyone in California, Oregon, and Washington who wants to help gather data during the West Coast fire season, which runs from July through November.
Volunteers can choose a comfortable spot, like a backyard or local park, and spend just 10 minutes each week observing and noting any bird activity. These observations will be recorded on the online platform eBird. No prior birdwatching experience is needed. Olivia Sanderfoot, the program director, encourages beginners to participate, as they may notice things that seasoned birders might overlook.
This is the third year of the study, which began in 2023 with around 300 volunteers tracking bird behaviors. The goal is to better understand how wildfire smoke affects birds, an area that has not been extensively studied. The more data collected, the clearer the picture will be for researchers looking to protect these animals.
Participants can commit to the entire fire season or just a few weeks. The researchers will compare the volunteers’ notes with fire and smoke data to identify patterns in bird behavior. For those who are unsure about identifying different bird species, the project offers resources and support to help.
Sanderfoot emphasizes that even casual observations can provide valuable information. Early findings have shown that soot from wildfire smoke can influence which bird species are seen in certain areas. Scientists are curious if birds are changing their locations or behaviors in response to air quality changes.
Volunteers have shared that the experience of watching birds is enjoyable and calming. One participant mentioned how spending just 10 minutes observing birds can be a peaceful and rewarding experience.
If you’re interested in being part of this important research, you can sign up at the Project Phoenix website. Your observations could contribute significantly to understanding how wildfires impact bird populations.