Back in late October, a rare visitor dropped into Madison—a black-throated gray warbler, normally found west of the Rockies. Everyone thought he would be a one-day-wonder, stopping for a quick pit-stop before continuing to ride the winds south on his journey to Mexico. But he stayed. And he stayed. And he stayed. Against all odds, he is still here.

For a new birder, seeing a rare bird like this can feel like a rite of passage. But unless you’re the one to stumble across a rarity, how would you even know it’s out there? How can you hear about these cool sightings, much less learn how to track them down? This week’s Entryway to Birding blog brings you the inside scoop on rarities, so you too can experience that special birding thrill.

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

Every year, on the second Saturday of November, a long-running citizen science program kicks into gear. Thousands of participants join Project FeederWatch and—from the comfort of their homes—begin collecting data on the birds that visit their yards or feeder setups. There’s no driving anywhere, no donning of winter clothes, no braving bitter winds or snow. There’s just you, a window, and a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate. (The beverage is optional, of course, but why not?)

Project FeederWatch can be a great entrance to the world of birding. Maybe you’ve been following our Entryway to Birding series but have been unable to venture out on your own. Maybe the incoming colder weather is shifting your attention indoors. Or maybe you’re looking to refine your birding skills with some up-close study of some winter birds. No matter your experience level, Project FeederWatch has something to offer you—even if you don’t have any feeders at all! Here’s five reasons why you should join and start counting winter birds for science.

Every fall, birders anxiously await the predictions of the Winter Finch Forecast—a long-running, volunteer produced publication that aims to predict whether or not boreal finches will move south for the winter. We are still in the midst of fall migration, with hopefully more time before the deep chill of winter sets in, so you might be reading this and thinking this week’s Entryway to Birding blog is a little premature.

Rest assured, it’s not. Boreal finches are here, baby! And, if reports from northern Wisconsin are a sign of what’s to come, a whole lot more are on their way. This week’s blog brings you everything you need to know about what winter finch species to expect this year, where to look for them, and how to attract them to your feeder.