Be Part of It: The Great Backyard Bird Count

Want to be part of something big? If you live in the U.S. or Canada, you are invited to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) by counting birds in your area any day (for at least 15 minutes) during certain dates in February.

Even if you don’t have a backyard, you may count the birds you see from your window, your neighborhood, or your local park or nature center. It’s a fun, free, and easy way to get to know your local birds, and help birds while you do it! By entering your results online, you’ll be assisting scientists in getting a real-time snapshot of bird populations in North America.

Get started now by visiting the the GBBC website. There you will find regional checklists, a power point presentation, printable poster, a special page for kids, and lots of other resources. The Great Backyard Bird Count is for individuals, families, scout groups, community groups, playgroups, grandparents, and grandchildren. It’s a chance for more experienced birders to mentor the “fledglings,” and for friends to participate together. Teachers can get their classrooms involved–educator materials are available; camera buffs can enter the GBBC photo contest. Check the website for the 2010 photo contest winners!

The GBBC is a joint project of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon and Bird Studies Canada. So, come on! Be part of world’s largest research team: have fun, and commune with the birds during this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count.

Originally published on February 10, 2011