The Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend

A little birdie told me that this weekend, from February 14-17, is the Great Backyard Bird Count, a worldwide effort where citizens gather data on their local birds.

The task is simple: identify and count the number of birds species in your backyard for at least 15 minutes, at least once between the 14-17th.

Ornithologists use this data to study bird populations.

This will be my first year participating, and if you have even just a little birding know-how (or want to learn), you can too!

Cool, I know my backyard birds, how do I submit my data?

Both options will require you to have an eBird account. eBird is the online database that ornithologists pull data from.

Option 1: Using the mobile app

The most straightforward, time-saving method is using the eBird mobile app.

  1. When you’re ready to birdwatch, click Start Checklist
  2. Next to the + sign, type the name and total of all the species you can identify
  3. After at least 15 minutes, click Stop
  4. Look over everything, admire your list
  5. When you're ready, click Continue, choose Location, and Submit

Option 2: Handwrite a list

The mobile app is convenient, but sometimes, I find it a little distracting from the birding experience, especially when there’s a lot of bird activity going on.
An old-fashioned lady writing in a notebook

Thankfully, you can handwrite a list the old-fashioned way, and upload it on a computer later!

  1. On a piece of paper, note the date and time you start
  2. List each species you can identify, and keep a tally of how many you see
  3. After at least 15 minutes, note your end time
  4. On a computer, sign into eBird
  5. In the navigation menu near the top right, click Submit (the first button)
  6. The eBird site will walk you through the next steps
  7. Enter the data that you recorded in your notes

I know little about birds, but I want to try

There is a phone app called Merlin that is designed for beginner birders! Also, every bird you observe using the app will still count towards the GBBC!

You can also find birding field guides at libraries and bookstores. If you are in the U.S., there is a great series of color-coded bird field guides for every state by Stan Tekiela. This is an easy way to learn birds; it’s how I learned!

Birding is a stimulating hobby! It helps you feel more connected to your environment. Even an average pigeon is a fascinating little creature.

A cute little sparrow