Do you have time to help the birds today? Today is the first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Anyone can participate, and it’s free. All you have to do is count the birds you see in your backyard (or at a lake or in a field or a park or wherever you happen to be) and enter the information online. The count is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (through whom I participate in Project Feederwatch) and the National Audubon Society. The count begins today and goes through Monday, February 18th.
The information that’s gathered helps scientists understand more about the winter birds that visit our feeders. How is this year’s snowy weather affecting their numbers? Where are bird populations growing or shrinking? Where are the iruptive species like the Red-breasted Nuthatches and Common Redpolls this winter (birds whose populations are unpredictable from year to year)?
Even just taking 15 minutes of your time in the next four days will help provide valuable information about our favorite backyard visitors. If you enter your city and state on their website, you can even get a handy checklist of the birds commonly found in your area.
Now get outside and count!