Every February – check for exact dates
[Go to the GBBC website for the correct dates.]
Watching birds and learning about them is one of my favorite activities. It has taught me to be more observant and to feel more connected with the natural world around me. In learning the habits, habitats, and migration patterns of different birds, I’ve become more attuned to changes in the environment and the seasons. Last year I discovered I could actually make a contribution to the study and knowledge of birds by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).
The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. You can participate from anywhere in the world, and everyone is welcome, from beginners to experts.
It’s free, fun, and it helps the birds
See How to Participate for more details.
As the count progresses, anyone with Internet access can explore what is being reported.
Participants may also send in photographs of the birds they see for the GBBC photo contest. A selection of images is posted in the online photo gallery.
Why count birds?
The information gleaned from the Great Backyard Bird Counts helps scientists and bird enthusiasts track the dynamic bird populations that are constantly in flux. It would be virtually impossible for any single scientist or even a team of scientists to document and understand the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.
Scientists use the GBBC information, along with observations from other citizen-science projects, such as the Christmas Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, and eBird, to understand what’s happening to bird populations. The longer these data are collected, the more significant they are for helping scientists investigate questions such as:
- How do migration patterns and timing change from one year to the next?
- How do weather and climate change influence bird populations?
- How does bird diversity change in cities compared with suburban, rural, and natural areas?
- Where are winter finches and other “irruptive” species that appear in large numbers during some years but not others?
- Are bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affecting birds in different regions?
Have more questions?
Visit the GBBC Frequently Asked Questions Page.
I’ll be participating. Will you?
Let me know in the comments below or join the conversation at my Facebook Page.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.
Really nice and interesting post. I was looking for this kind of information and enjoyed reading this one. Keep posting. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you found it helpful, James. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.
Elizabeth, this is still more proof that we are long lost sisters! I love my backyard birds!! And squirrels as well. But I have never participated in the Count. Thanks so much for providing these resources.
For fun reading for birders, try Why Don’t Woodpeckers Get Headaches And Other Bird Questions You Know You Want to Ask, by Mike O’Connor.
Have a beautiful day!!
BTW–so glad to see your blog popping up more regularly in my in box. I will take time to enjoy the posts soon!
Yes, we are definitely long lost sisters, Mimi, but thankfully no longer lost! I’m ordering Why Don’t Woodpeckers Get Headaches today. What a fantastic title!
Heartspoken is my focus this year, and I’ll definitely be posting more regularly and bringing more valuable resources to my wonderful readers. I’m so happy you’ll be on the journey with me!
Stay warm!
Unfortunately, this time of year, there aren’t many birds. Matter of fact, I saw two tiny brown birds yesterday and commented on them to friends, “Look, birds!”
Hahaha! You remind me of my National Geographic photographer friend George Mobley. He always said, “There are three kinds of birds: Ducks, and Eagles, and Little Gray Birds!” I’ll bet your tiny brown birds are sparrows of some kind. There are so many varieties it’s hard to tell them apart sometimes.
Birds, birds, birds! I love birds, and the mention of them reminds me of Mom. So thanks for that. Mom had birdfeeders and a bath in the backyard, always. I wrote a short story series, with birds and bugs, based on memories of Mom in her garden. Every time I see a beautiful bird, I think of her. Mike Gallaway (connected to me on FB) – he’s a photographer and has some amazing photos of birds on his page!
Karen, I’m so glad you love birds too and that this reminded you of your mother. I know how devoted you were to her.
The nice thing about this bird count is you can do it once for just a few minutes or do it for hours at a time during the count period. I hope you can see birds from your window, because it’s probably too cold up there to go outside for any length of time.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Karen.