Cornell Lab of Ornithology Leverages Citizen Science for Global Big Day
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is preparing for Global Big Day on May 9, an annual 24-hour event where thousands of participants worldwide crowdsource bird sightings. This initiative utilizes platforms like eBird and the Merlin app to collect real-time data, transforming amateur birders into global citizen scientists. The accumulated data, combined with decades of audio recordings from both professionals and amateurs, provides researchers with critical insights into climate change impacts and shifting human habitation effects on avian populations. The Lab’s resources, including its FeederWatch camera and extensive audio archive, are freely accessible, fostering a deeper connection between people and nature. Ian Davies, international strategy lead for eBird, emphasizes the open-source nature of the project, which allows for immediate tracking of species distribution. Additionally, curator Glenn Seeholzer highlights the historical value of archived analog recordings, some of which document extinct or rare species like the ivory-billed woodpecker. This collaborative effort not only aids scientific research but also preserves invaluable natural history records for future generations.
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Cornell Lab of Ornithology Leverages Citizen Science for Global Big Day
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is preparing for Global Big Day on May 9, an annual 24-hour event where thousands of participants worldwide crowdsource bird sightings. This initiative utilizes platforms like eBird and the Merlin app to collect real-time data, transforming amateur birders into global citizen scientists. The accumulated data, combined with decades of audio recordings from both professionals and amateurs, provides researchers with critical insights into climate change impacts and shifting human habitation effects on avian populations. The Lab’s resources, including its FeederWatch camera and extensive audio archive, are freely accessible, fostering a deeper connection between people and nature. Ian Davies, international strategy lead for eBird, emphasizes the open-source nature of the project, which allows for immediate tracking of species distribution. Additionally, curator Glenn Seeholzer highlights the historical value of archived analog recordings, some of which document extinct or rare species like the ivory-billed woodpecker. This collaborative effort not only aids scientific research but also preserves invaluable natural history records for future generations.
WBUR News