Coming later this week to backyards, parks and skies everywhere is the 17th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a four-day event that runs Fri., Feb. 14 through Mon., Feb. 17, 2014. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada.
Anyone anywhere in the world can count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter their sightings online. The information gathered helps track the health of bird populations at a scale that would not otherwise be possible.
It doesn’t matter where you live or whether you’ve tried bird watching before. The GBBC is a great way for people of all ages to connect with nature and make a difference for birds. Plus, the GBBC is just one way to show kids that science is fun!
Ready to join the fun? Participating in the GBBC is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Create a GBBC account.
You’ll need to create an account to participate in the event. It’s free and takes just a couple of minutes.
2. Watch birds!
Count the birds you see for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the days. You can bird watch at the park, at your school or in your own backyard.
3. Report your findings online.
Click “Submit Your Bird Checklist”’ from the GBBC home page and share your results.
A few helpful resources for participating in the GBBC with kids:
Birding with kids
- 5 Ways to Invite Birds to Your Backyard
- Binoculars for Kids
- Create a Wildlife Habitat in Your Yard
- Kid-Friendly Tips for Backyard Bird Watching
Identifying birds
- An online bird guide to help with identification
- Printable tally sheets for your local area
- Top 10 birds most frequently reported
Bird activities for kids
- Bird Coloring Pages
- Birdseed Ornaments
- Bird sounds matching game
- Bird Watching Scavenger Hunt
- Make a Pinecone Birdfeeder
- Start a Bird Book
