[birding] another bird feeding project--goldfinches

[W.Douglas Robinson]

Hi all,

I am helping a colleague do some additional tests of bird preferences  
for a few finch seed mixes this summer. Thanks to the folks who have  
already offered to help on the first project!

I am looking for a couple of people to help with the observations,  
which includes watching the feeders for 60 minutes each morning, 4  
days per week, over the course of 6 weeks.  Preferably, the 6-week  
period would begin 19 July.

Here are the requirements, if you think you might be interested:

1. There are 4 feeders, which are placed in a line about 32 feet long,  
so you should have a large enough yard or space to accommodate that.

2. It would be great if you already have goldfinches coming to your  
yard.  The study is comparing foods that goldfinches eat.

3. The feeders are hung on 5-foot tall garden hooks, so you have to be  
ok with having 4 of those standing in your yard.

4.  You have to be able to identify all finch species likely to attend  
bird feeders around here and able to follow protocols. The protocols  
are simple.  You identify and count individuals of all birds at each  
feeder every 5 minutes for half an hour, then take a 15 minute break,  
then repeat again for half an hour.  Feeders are filled each day with  
a particular set of seed mixes, so you should be able to follow the  
instructions for this (they are super easy).  This is the kind of  
thing that might be done nicely during your morning cup of coffee of  
each day, or might be a good task for a precocious youngster to get a  
little experience with some simple science.

5.  It is best if you live in the Corvallis/Albany area so I can  
easily deliver the feeders and food to you, and set everything up for  
you.

In return, although I cannot give you the feeders and hooks (we will  
use them again in other work), I can give you plenty of bird seed for  
free.  You won't need to buy as much bird seed for the upcoming fall  
and winter.

If you might be interested, please reply off-list to me directly.

Thanks!
Douglas Robinson (w.douglas.robinson at gmail.com)