Then they recorded the numbers of visits to each type of seed, referring to a bird-identification poster supplied by the Laboratory of Ornithology. Nearly 5,000 Seed Preference Test participants, including school children in science fair projects and entire families, returned data forms from last winter's experiment. Analysts at the Laboratory of Ornithology spent the summer tabulating the data.
Most researchers refine their procedures before they work properly.
So, in the full spirit of the experimental process, Seed Preference Testers will try again this winter, changing some procedures to reflect problems that were discovered last winter. This winter, for example, volunteers will set up the experiments several days in advance before they begin recording data. That will give neighborhood birds a chance to become accustomed to the situation. Other nearby sources of food, such as bird feeders, will be left empty during the brief experiment. The second round of the Seed Preference Test should accomplish three goals, Bonney said.