Great Backyard Bird Count Just Two Weeks Away

The annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), sponsored by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, will be held February 15-18, just two weeks away. During the event, bird watchers of all ages and expertise count birds for four days to help scientists determine the distribution and abundance of birds throughout the U.S. and Canada. Prior to the count, bird watchers can print a checklist for the birds in their area from www.birdcount.org. We’re asked to count birds in our backyards, or at local parks, ponds, marshes, or wildlife refuges, keeping a separate list of counts for each day, and then entering the results via a link on the website.

Last year, birders submitted 81,003 checklists tallying 11,082,387 birds and 613 species.

The 10 most commonly reported species were:

1 – Northern Cardinal

2 – Dark-eyed Junco

3 – Mourning Dove

4 – Blue Jay

5 – Downy Woodpecker

6 – American Goldfinch

7 – House Finch

8 – Tufted Titmouse

9 – American Crow

10 – House Sparrow

I’ve downloaded my checklist, and though I can’t wait to get started, I promise to hold off until February 15!