If you are seeking a wonderful birding event that can involve the entire family, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) may be just the event that fits the bill.
This year it will run from Friday, February 17 through Monday, February 21. During these four days, hundreds of thousands and conservation-minded citizens living in more than 250 counts scattered across the globe will make an effort to count as many birds as they can.
If you were wondering why so many people would want to engage in such an activity, the answer is simple—it is providing a unique opportunity to have fun birding with a conservation purpose in mind. The enormous volume of data collected by these thousands of participants will assist biologists and leaders throughout the world gain a better understanding to the state of the world’s bird populations.
Believe me, this is one of the easiest ways to become involved in a conservation project. On top of that, it is free! All you have to do is first select a location you want to survey. A survey area can be as small as your yard or as large as a city park, state park or wildlife refuge, you name it.
You simply record all of the birds you can identify in as little as fifteen minutes at that locale. You can even survey the same area each day during the count period. In addition, can you tally birds in as many different sites as your like.
Once you have collected data at your location(s), submit your findings online at birdcount.org. It is as simple as that.
If you so desire, you can go to the map feature as watch as you survey area is added to growing number of other places survey during the count.
If you have not yet installed the free Merlin Bird ID app, this would be a great time to do so. The app will help you locate and identify birds that you might not have realized are present.
The app will identify their call display a photo of each bird heard.
If you think you might be interested in taking part in this enjoyable event, go to the Great Backyard Bird Count website. The site will provide all of the information need to get started, including a checklist of the birds you are most likely to see in your area.
You simply record all of the birds you can identify in as little as fifteen minutes at that locale. You can even survey the same area each day during the count period. In addition, can you tally birds in as many different sites as your like.