- How will the weather and climate change influence bird populations?
- How will the timing of birds’ migrations compare with past years?
- What kinds of differences in bird diversity are apparent in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas?
To help answer questions such as these, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society launched the Great Backyard Bird Count in 1998.
It was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Now, more than 160,000 people of all ages and walks of life worldwide join the four-day count each February to create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds.
You’re invited to participate! For at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count — February 17-20, 2017 — simply tally the numbers and kinds of birds you see. You can count from any location, anywhere in the world, for as long as you wish! During the count, you can explore what others are seeing in your area or around the world. Share your bird photos by entering the photo contest, or enjoy images pouring in from across the globe.
Click here for more info on how to get started.
In 2016, Great Backyard Bird Count participants in more than 130 countries counted 5,689 species of birds on more than 162,000 checklists!
Andy’s friend, Connie, wrote us:
“Don’t forget that Feb 17-20 is the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. This is citizen science at its best. They appreciate even a 15-minute count, so it’s super easy to do even while sipping your morning coffee as you casually observe what’s outside your kitchen window. You don’t have to be a bird expert either; there are a lot of resources to help with identification.
Last year I registered 11 different species from Sanibel beach, and this year I may try a couple different places over this long weekend because you can enter more than one count. I’m getting warmed up and have already have seen 2 bald eagles, a bright red male cardinal, anhinga, 10 white ibises, 2 mallard ducks, and a pair of mourning doves — all in or flying above my backyard.
I hope you’ll take some time to participate. Get outside, have some fun, learn a new bird or two, all while making your count count!”
