Winter Feeder Survey

If you enjoy feeding birds and have a bird feeder out, join the Winter Feeder Count! We are asking people living in Michigan to submit their information about the birds visiting their feeders monthly, November through April. There is a simple protocol to follow and the information gathered is valuable for protecting birds and the habitat they utilize.

Email John at to sign up.

Top Five Species for the 2024-2025 Winter Feeder Survey

Below are the top five species based on percentages of feeders visited over entire state:
chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee

Dark eyed junco

Dark-Eyed Junco

Blue Jay(2)

Blue Jay

White Breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch 

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

The 49th annual count took place from November 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025. A total of 201 participants conducted 975 feeder counts and together we identified 53,905 birds and 112 species in the feeder count areas.

This last winter season was again mild, and the last half of April the temperatures were well above average which accounted for both Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Orioles being reported at 3 times higher than their normal average and a record number of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Northern House Wrens were also reported. Both the Pileated Woodpecker and Carolina Wrens, which have been trending upwards over the last 10 years were also found at new record highs. Common Redpolls which are now known as just Redpoll with the lumping of the Hoary and Common into one species. They were predicted to stay up north due to high Birch and Alder crops, and this indeed was the case with only 6 percent of feeders reporting them, which is well below normal average numbers.

 

Top 5 species

1. Black-capped Chickadee

2. Dark-eyed Junco

3. Blue Jay

4. White-breasted Nuthatch

5. Downy Woodpecker

Winter Feeder Cardinals

For current participants:

You can now fill out your Count Day forms online! This survey is open to KNC volunteers to record observations of bird species for our winter feeder count program. Please fill out one form for each Count Day. Forms are due by the 15th of the month after the count day.

Fill out a Count Day Form here

Donate to the Winter Feeder Survey

KNC’s Winter Feeder Count has brought together hundreds of Michigan’s birdwatchers for over four decades, creating an incredibly valuable dataset for tracking bird populations over time. This important work continues year after year through the generous support of donors like you.

Make a secure donation here >