A heads, or beaks, up for all you avifauna lovers out there. It’s time to mark your calendars so you won’t miss out on the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count.
By participating in the event, which takes place from Friday, February 12 to Monday, February 15, you can help make this count the biggest ever.
Simply keep track of the birds you see in your own yard, either on one, two, three or all four days. Your input helps to paint an informative ‘bird’s eye’ view for scientists studying the behavior and welfare of our feathered friends.
And remember, it’s not just for the birds! The rise or decline of avian wildlife numbers is an indicator of the overall health of our environment; taking note of population changes acts like a litmus test that gives us warning when conditions exist that could negatively impact all life on earth, including humans.
Spread the Word
Let the local media in your neighborhood know about the GBBC to stimulate as much participation as possible. And what better way to spread the word than by word-of-web via Twitter! Tweet about the upcoming bird count to create interest in the event, which is only a couple of weeks away.
For a quick review of frequently asked questions on how to do the count, plus a regional checklist to acquaint yourself with the birds normally found in your area, visit GBBC’s website.
Audubon and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, as well as their new Canadian partner, Bird Studies Canada, are counting on your count…so brush up on your sparrow identification and get ready to participate.
