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The Great Backyard Bird Count

February 17, 2017

The 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) starts TODAY and runs through February 20, 2017.

Chickadee on Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina). Photo by Jack Bartholmai

To participate, simply count the birds you see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count noting certain information. Then enter the data at GBBC. The scientists at GBBC will gather all the data and develop a synopsis of the health of bird populations throughout the world and then compare that to the past 20 years of data.

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE

First, register. Registration is free and there is a huge amount of information about birds and the upcoming bird count on the GBBC website.

Second, plan to spend at least 15 minutes counting birds from February 17-20, 2017.  You can count as long as you wish, for as many days as you wish. There are checklists available for you to download from the GBBC website to use to record your information. (Look for GBBC Toolkit at right of screen.) You can count birds from your backyard or front yard, a nearby park, public garden or nature center. Or, you can count from the local schools, hiking trails, beaches and your cabin—anywhere birds are found.

Third, submit your information to GBBC. If you’re not sure you can identify all the birds you might see, plan to take good notes — size, shape, color, unusual markings. Or you can try to snap a picture for later i.d. Note: Photos can be uploaded to the GBBC website along with your checklists to create an illustrated list.

There are bird guides available to help you identify the birds you see. Here are a few:

Mourning Dove and babies sheltered in an evergreen tree. Photo by Jack Bartholmai

All About Birds

What Bird

Guide to North American Birds

Merlin Bird ID App

Audubon Bird Guide

EBird Mobile App

Participating is free and easy, so why not give it a try.

To register, go to The 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count

For more details go to The Great Backyard Bird Count

To participate in the GBBC Photo Contest

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