Great Backyard Bird Count Goes Global
Citizen Scientists Needed
The Backyard Bird Count is an opportunity for citizen scientists to help researchers by spending a few minutes next weekend counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. It’s as easy as looking out your window for 15 minutes or going for a walk at a local park.
People of all ages and skill levels can participate. You do not need to be an expert to contribute. Even if you can only identify the common birds you can still take part in the count.
Count Is Now International
From the GBBC Press Release:
For the first time, anyone anywhere in the world with Internet access can participate in the 16th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) February 15-18. Participants simply watch birds at any location for at least 15 minutes, tally the numbers of each species they see, and report their tallies online at www.BirdCount.org. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.
Backyard Birds
It probably goes without saying that I will be counting birds next weekend. I expect to see most of the usual suspects like the House Finches, above, who will no doubt stop at my backyard feeder, or the Robin, who I often see on walks in the park. Another backyard favorite is the Goldfinch, below, and last week’s winter favorite, the Dark-eyed Junco.
Several species of woodpecker also show up regularly at my feeders, the most frequent is the little Downy Woodpecker, below.
And of course, everyone’s favorite, the Cardinal.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 
What a wonderful initiative that is. I hope I can participate too- although I’m going away next weekend and am not sure how the time difference thing will pan out. I like your backyard visitors- so different from mine of course.
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Great idea! I don’t know the names of most birds, but I do enjoy them. And I love (and collect) birdhouses, although most of mine are indoors. Thanks for sharing…and here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
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I love that Cardinal and of course, the woodpeckers are always my favorite!! Your bird photos make my day!
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Glad you like Mrs. Cardinal. She is such a beautiful bird and so often we only see photos of the male.
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It appears we have many of the same bird visitors! I’ll have to look into that count. We had an owl patrolling our feeder this week; it was quite astonishing to see one so close and during the day! I posted a picture of it for today’s snapshot.
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What a treat! I have seen an owl in woods during the day but never one in my yard. I do hear them at night whoooing in the distance.
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Always love your lessons on the birds and appreciate your excellent photos as well.
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Your photos are lovely, as always!
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These photos are wonderful. I think the Goldenfinch is most adorable with his little round body and pretty colors
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What a great idea, I shall do my best to participate, not sure I’ll be able to identify any birds.
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These pictures are GORGEOUS.
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A much needed initiative, as the habitat for migratory species is ever more compromised … gorgeous shots, as usual!
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Lovely photos! Birds can be tough to photograph well.
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I have never seen a real life cardinal before – but I love them too!! We dont have woodpeckers in Australia either but I’ve always been fascinated by them 🙂
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Your backyard birds are wonderful….and the initiative info is appreciated. Happy bird watching♥ My SS: http://lore-eleven.blogspot.com/2013/02/icy-convex-mirror.html
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I love your bird photos. I am going to try and participate in the bird count. Yesterday I saw a wren in my back garden, which is quite unusual for here, but as usual was not quick enough with my camera.
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Such great variety – lovely shots.
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We will be counting birds, too! My twins are so excited. This will be our third year doing it and probably first one where my twins can identify most of the birds (they’re five). Their favorites, and who we expect to see, are chickadees, cardinals, dark-eyed juncos, and woodpeckers (downy, hairy, and red-bellied). If we’re lucky, we’ll see a (drab, but still beautiful) goldfinch, but we haven’t had as many of them in recent years.
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GREAT photos.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Saturday Snapshot
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Those are lovely bird photos! It does sound like it would be fun to participate.
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That are great pictures. Our birdwatch society is having a weekend like that too every year when they want us to estimate how many different birds from various species are living in our garden. But we sure do not have the nice variety you have in yours.
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It’s nice to see the lady cardinal, she ‘s always overlooked for her male counterpart! Have fun counting 🙂
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