The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is coming up Friday, February 13th-Monday, February 16th. This is a fun and easy way you can contribute to science! People from all over the world take part in this project. The results from the 4-day period help scientists learn how birds are affected by environmental changes and provide a large-scale snapshot of bird populations.

Want to get involved? First, you will need to create an online account where you will log your results. If you already have an eBird account, you can use that. Next, count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count period. You can count birds at feeders, at a park or anywhere. You can even do counts at different locations, just be sure to create a new list for each place. Over the count weekend, I plan to observe birds at my own backyard feeders. I plan to kick back with a mug of coffee and enjoy the morning visitors. I will also count birds at the Woodland Dunes feeders with the staff. It’s a great way to brush up on bird identification skills. Make sure to keep track of the species and the number of individual species you see. Finally, enter your count results online. You can even download a fancy new app free for your phone. 

For more information about the count, visit the GBBC website. I hope you will take part in the count!