The Great Backyard Bird Count

It's almost here! This year's Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is coming up in just a couple of weeks - February 13th- 16th.

What is the Great Backyard Bird Count, you may ask? Well, here is a little explanation taken from the GBBC website, www.birdsource.org:

"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 across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

Participants count birds anywhere for as little or as long as they wish during the four-day period. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time. To report their counts, they fill out an online checklist at the Great Backyard Bird Count web site."

• Why participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, you may ask?
  

Well, basically because it helps the birds! And it's fun. And it's an easy way to get involved with a great cause. And if you're me, because you married a bird lover and he converted you and made you a bit of a nerd. :)

Seriously though, birds are a really dynamic population (since they fly and don't stay put generally). This makes it really hard for scientists to keep tabs on important things like migratory patterns, population counts at certain time of the year, etc. Just taking 15 minutes to count the birds you see during the GBBC can help scientists answer important questions like:

• How will this winter's snow and cold temperatures influence bird populations?
• How will the timing of birds’ migrations compare with past years?
• How are bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affecting birds in different regions?
• What kinds of differences in bird diversity are apparent in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas?
• Are any birds undergoing worrisome declines that point to the need for conservation attention?

Basically, by participating in the GBBC, you are helping to gather survey information for scientists to follow up on - they can't do it without us! :)

• How do I get started with the Great Backyard Bird Count, you may ask?
  
  Go to http://www.birdcount.org/ and click the "How to Participate" link on the left side of the page to get your check-list printed off and to find more instructions. It's really easy and fun!

Happy Birdwatching!