Citizen Scientists Call to Action - Great Backyard Bird Count

In my last post, I focused on some opportunities to get out and bird. This post is a call to action in your own yard.

From Feb. 16 - 19, the Great Backyard Bird Count is hosted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and eBird. This is an extended weekend opportunity for you to spend time watching birds in your backyard and documenting in eBird which species you saw.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great opportunity to start birding as a hobby for yourself, and it provides scientists with a wealth of data. It allows them to see where in the US different species are and how many. It's a unique opportunity to part of something bigger than yourself.

So you're new to the world of birding? Not sure what you need to know...let's start there.

1. Unsure about correctly identifying birds. Here's a good place to start.
2. Unsure about counting. (I'll address that below)
3. Unsure about when. Pick any time over 15 minutes between Feb 16 and 19th
4. Unsure about documenting. You'll need to create a free account on eBird.

Counting strategy can be tricky, right? You see one bird, then later you see two. Did you see three? Or did you see two? For species where males and females look different, I keep track of the highest number of each male and female I see. Then total them. So for example, if I see 1 red cardinal, then later 2 brown, and then later 3 red; I would total it as 5 total cardinals. That way I know I am not doubling counting.

eBird is relatively simple. Once you've created your free account; find the Submit link. You then need to identify your location. Look up your location using "Find it on a map" and searching for your county. Once in, enter a more precise location. Once you've filed your location, you'll be brought to a list of birds. This where you enter your count. It's relatively simple.