🐦8.1 Cornell Lab of Ornithology Externship Day 2: a talk with Holly Grant

I’d like to thank Alli for introducing me to Holly. Although I hadn’t anticipated discussing citizen science initiatives like NestWatch and FeederWatch, I was fortunate that Alli believed it would be valuable for Holly to share her insights with me, providing this unique opportunity.

During our conversation, Holly reiterated that the lab’s projects, including NestWatch and FeederWatch, are deeply rooted in citizen science principles. She explained that while these programs don’t enforce strict protocols for feeder or nest setups, they still generate high-quality data despite the inclusion of less reliable submissions. This is achieved by simplifying participation—reducing steps and avoiding overly rigid guidelines, which fosters broader engagement.

Reflecting on this, I again recognized why our own citizen science programs back in Sichuan often fail to resonate with participants. Many citizens find our approach overly complex, with requirements condensed into intensive single-day training sessions and numerous procedural steps for volunteers. This lack of an incremental, accessible structure discourages sustained involvement.

In addition to evaluating our program design, I also started contemplating why initiatives like FeederWatch or NestWatch have not taken root in China. One primary reason is the absence of a "backyard culture," which makes it challenging to implement such programs. Even households with private gardens are rarely familiar with bird feeders or nest monitoring, resulting in limited connections between people and local avifauna.

Comparatively, cities like Chengdu—dubbed a “Park City” for its extensive green spaces, wetlands, and more biodiverse environment—offer greater ecological potential for citizen science than urban centers like Beijing or Shanghai. However, urban sprawl in Chengdu poses challenges for community-level initiatives. To achieve broader reach, collaboration with city management agencies, large-scale real estate developers, or eco-conscious commercial zones may prove more effective.

For example, I see great potential in Luxe Lake (麓湖), a prominent real estate developer (managing 21 complexes) with wetland environments, small gardens in most residential areas, and a commitment to environmental conservation. Their past projects, such as managing stray cat populations and sponsoring our Sichuan ornithology lab, demonstrate alignment with conservation goals. Luxe Lake residents, being affluent and environmentally aware, are likely familiar with Cornell’s reputation as a leading ornithology institution, which could build credibility for introducing FeederWatch and NestWatch-style programs.

Instead of promoting traditional backyard birding, perhaps we could adapt it to Chengdu by encouraging bird-friendly practices on balconies, in small gardens, or in communal spaces. This could shift local birding culture from solely photography—often done unethically—to observing and enjoying the behaviors of common local birds in a sustainable manner.

I will see what I can do when I’m back in Chengdu. Anyways, thanks to Holly for all the info and giving me a bird egg poster and a binocular wipe.