Great Backyard Bird Count
As the winter blues settle across North America, temperatures drop and snow continues to fall. Like many of you, here at WildKind we are always looking for extra motivation to get outside in the winter.
Rather than be a fair weather friend about the season, grab those binoculars, and become a citizen scientist by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count. In as little as 15 minutes, you can help scientists learn more about declining bird populations.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy, there were 3 billion less birds in North America in 2019 than in 1970. Since 1998, citizens and scientists have joined together to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Now a global project, the 2021 Great Backyard Bird Count will take place in backyards and parks around the world from February 12-15, 2021.
What’s the Great Backyard Bird Count?
PC: Great Backyard Bird Count
Kids of all ages can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a four-day citizen scientist project. It is free and easy for your family to participate in while helping scientists track healthy bird populations. Over the four-day period, citizen scientists (you and your kids) observe and count the number of birds you see over a 15-minute, or longer, period. Then you add that information to ebird, a database dedicated to tracking bird populations around the world.
In 2020, citizens in 194 countries participated with more than 27,000,000 birds counted. The data helps scientists know what bird species and habitats feel the threats of climate change, industry growth and pollution. In fact, according to Becca Rodomsky-Bish, project leader for the Great Backyard Bird Count, 93 scientific publications used the data entered into ebird in 2020.
Organizations like The National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada use this information to continue their efforts in protecting the number of birds worldwide.
Need an excuse to put down the screens and get your kids outside? Participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to engage the kids in some screen-free time.
“Without every day citizen scientists, bird conservationists would not know as much as they do about birds,” said Rodomsky-Bish. “In 20 years, this data will be critical in helping us understand what worked and what didn’t, what birds are recovering and what birds are struggling.”
How to Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count
If you are a first time participant, download the free Merlin Bird ID app to help you identify birds. Using key identifiers like color, size, location and behavior, the app uses a database to send a small list of potential birds based on the information you enter. You will need to create a free Cornell Lab account for entering your findings.
Keep track of the species of bird and the amount of that species over a 15 minute or more period of time February 12-15. It will ask you to enter the date and time of observation, so start a new tally chart for every time you observe the birds over the four-day period. For further help, click here.
PC: Jamie Burris/Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to get your kids outside and teach them to look all around, not just right in front of them. You can also pair the count with other activities, like drawing or writing about what they see, or even practice using the scientific process to make predictions and graph their data.
If you have participated before, and feel comfortable identifying birds, you can add your data into eBird or ebird mobile directly after logging into your Cornell Lab account.
If you do not own a smartphone, you can add your data by computer through the ebird website. You will still need to create or login to your Cornell Lab account.
If you post on social media, use the hashtags #wildkind and #greatbackyardbirdcount to share the fun you’re having while birdwatching.
PC: Donna Childs/Great Backyard Bird Count
You don’t have to leave your home to participate. If frigid temps keep you and your kids inside during the Great Backyard Bird Count, you can still participate by observing from the warmth of your home through a window.
Don’t forget to download and print off your certificate for participating available here about a week after the count ends.
Our Connection to Birds
The Great Backyard Bird Count recognizes that birds are also essential to our ecosystem. Birds help with pollination and also control the pest population. Birds live everywhere from backyards and parks to ponds and grassy fields. It’s easy to connect with feathered friends in everyday life whether we are just looking out our front window to taking a stroll in a nature preserve.
PC: Joe Endy/Great Backyard Bird Count
What types of birds frequent your yard and nearby parks? You may be surprised what you see during the Great Backyard Bird Count.
“There is nature to be found everywhere, and birds are one of the best ways to spark and fuel a child's connection to what is living around them,” said Rodomsky-Bish. “Then, when you start adding in the bright show-stoppers like Northern Cardinals, kids eyes will brighten with delight! I mean who knew nature could produce such stunning color in an animal? Birds are fascinating and kids recognize that from an early age.”
Take Action: Help Bird Populations
After you have participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count, your outreach to help bird populations doesn’t have to end.
Add bird sightings to ebird and ebird mobile to continue to protect feathered friends
Check out WildKind’s Mother Lovin’ blog post on the Raptors of North America
Make your home bird-friendly with these simple tips from the National Audubon Society
Join the #bringbirdsback campaign and follow 7 simple steps for helping birds
Follow the principles of Leave No Trace to minimize your impact when enjoying the outdoors
Participate in more citizen science including the Christmas Bird Count, Global Big Day and the North American Breeding Bird Survey
Use live traps to control rodents around your home (birds of prey have died from eating prey killed by poison)
