Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17-20
The ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place February 17–20, with a special opportunity to “Count Birds with a Buddy,” according to the press release from the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Birders should share their passion with someone new this year, although every participant contributes to scientific knowledge by joining the only count that creates a mid-winter snapshot of how the bird populations are doing across North America.
“People can take as long as they like watching birds as part of their GBBC day,” said Dr. Paul Green, Audubon's director of Citizen Science. “Most important is that people get outdoors and have fun counting the birds they see. Then they can be amazed at the results they produce on the GBBC web site; the animated maps are especially great.”
No fee or advance registration is necessary. Participants note the highest number of each species they see at any one time and enter their sightings online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. The web site also includes instructions and bird watching tips.
The count is run by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with sponsorship by Wild Birds Unlimited.
In 2005, birders sent in more than 52,000 checklists, with a record-breaking 613 species and more than 6.5 million birds counted.
By visiting the results pages at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, participants can see what was reported in their own towns or across the continent, and read what scientists found about the changing numbers and distributions of birds. This year’s information could help show how birds may have been affected in areas stricken by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as update what we know about declining species such as Rusty Blackbird and Painted Bunting.
Something new for bird watchers this year: the first-ever GBBC contest will generate some friendly competition. Awards will be given to states, provinces, and localities that submit the most checklists. Participants can also enter a photo contest by taking pictures of birds during the event and sending them for posting on the GBBC online photo gallery.
Additionally this year, Take Pride in America® is encouraging its Take Pride in America Cities to participate in the GBBC - helping the message of stewardship and caring for our public lands continue to grow across the country. This builds on the example set by the Mayor of Gautier, MS, who issued an official proclamation in 2005 to count birds for the GBBC, spurring residents to submit more checklists than any other town. Take Pride in America mayors can register their city’s participation in the event by going to www.TakePride.gov.
Take Pride in America is a national partnership program that encourages, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve public parks, forests, cultural and historic sites, and other recreation areas.
For more information, contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at 800/843-2473, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, cornellbirds@cornell.edu, or the National Audubon Society at citizenscience@audubon.org, 215/355-9588, Ext 20, Audubon Science Office, 545 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974, www.audubon.org.