Help protect birds, monitor populations, support nesting success, and contribute to community science across South Florida.
Bird stewardship turns observation into action. Through monitoring, education, community science, and hands-on protection, volunteers can help safeguard birds at nests, on beaches, in neighborhoods, and across the landscapes they depend on.
Nest Monitoring
SFAS participates in Audubon Florida’s EagleWatch program, where trained volunteers monitor Bald Eagle nests and report observations that help biologists understand nesting activity and population trends.
Explore EagleWatch →
Beach-Nesting Birds
Volunteers help reduce disturbance around nesting areas, observe bird activity, answer questions from beach visitors, and promote responsible recreation during the nesting season.
Explore Shorebird Stewardship →
Long-Term Community Science
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count brings birders together each winter to document bird populations. These long-term observations contribute to one of the world’s best-known community-science datasets.
Learn About the Christmas Bird Count →
Everyday Observations
Bird observations become more powerful when they are shared. Programs such as eBird, NestWatch, FeederWatch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count help turn everyday sightings into useful scientific information.
Explore Bird Resources →Bald Eagle nesting activity is concentrated during Florida’s cooler months. Local monitoring opportunities vary by nest and season.
Beach-nesting birds need extra space and stewardship during the nesting season, when eggs and chicks are especially vulnerable to disturbance.
The Christmas Bird Count takes place during its annual winter count period and offers a structured way to contribute to long-term population data.
Many community-science programs can be used throughout the year, depending on the activity, species, and location.
| Program | Best For | Where | Commitment | Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EagleWatch | People interested in nest monitoring and repeated observations | Field-based | Recurring / seasonal | Training may be required |
| Shorebird Stewardship | Volunteers who enjoy outreach, beaches, and bird protection | Field-based | Seasonal; one-time or recurring opportunities may be available | Orientation or training may be required |
| Christmas Bird Count | Birders who enjoy team-based field counting | Field-based | Annual | Beginners can often participate with experienced birders |
| Great Backyard Bird Count | Beginners, families, and casual birders | Anywhere | Annual / short-term | No formal training required |
| Project FeederWatch | People who enjoy watching birds close to home | Home / local site | Seasonal / recurring | Program instructions provided |
| NestWatch | People interested in nesting behavior and careful monitoring | Home or field | Seasonal / recurring | Follow program protocols carefully |
| eBird | Birders of all experience levels | Anywhere | Anytime | No formal training required |
Spend time watching birds wherever you are and submit observations during this annual global bird count.
Visit Great Backyard Bird Count →Monitor active bird nests and contribute information about nesting attempts, eggs, young, and reproductive success.
Visit NestWatch →Observe birds at feeders and nearby habitats and contribute seasonal information about bird distribution and abundance.
Visit Project FeederWatch →Record bird sightings throughout the year and contribute observations to a global database used by birders, researchers, and conservationists.
Visit eBird →Learn how rooftop nesting colonies are monitored and protected through the Florida Shorebird Alliance and partner organizations.
Learn About Rooftop Nesting →Color bands and other markers can provide valuable information about individual birds. Reporting a banded bird helps researchers track movement and survival.
Report Florida Banded Birds →Community-science and stewardship data are valuable because repeated observations can reveal patterns that are difficult to see from a single visit. Depending on the program, your contributions may help support:
EagleWatch and Shorebird Stewardship are the primary local stewardship opportunities highlighted here through SFAS. Other programs on this page — including the Christmas Bird Count, Great Backyard Bird Count, NestWatch, Project FeederWatch, and eBird — are broader Audubon, Cornell Lab, or partner-led community-science programs that SFAS encourages people to explore and participate in.
Some local stewardship roles require training, orientation, or coordination before participation. Current opportunities vary by season, site, and program. Contact SFAS through our volunteer page if you want to be connected with an active local opportunity.
Choose a program and learn what to observe, how to minimize disturbance, and how information is collected.
Spend time watching birds, nests, or habitats carefully and responsibly in the field or close to home.
Share your observations with SFAS or the appropriate community-science program so they can support conservation.
Good stewardship always puts the birds first. Give birds and nests plenty of space, avoid causing repeated alarm or flushing, follow posted closures and buffers, keep pets away from nesting areas, and never handle eggs, chicks, or nests unless you are specifically authorized to do so.
Explore More Birding Resources →You do not need to be an expert birder to participate. Many programs welcome beginners and provide instructions, training, or identification tools. Start with an activity that matches your interests and experience, and build your skills over time.
Volunteer With SFAS →Whether you monitor a nest, steward a beach, count birds in your neighborhood, or contribute sightings through community science, your observations can help strengthen bird conservation.