Coming soon to a backyard near you: the
Great Backyard Bird Count is almost here! Every year the kids and I participate, and it can be quite a lot of fun!
So what is the Great Backyard Bird Count?
From February 13 - 16 this year, everyone is being asked to count how many and what type of birds they see for at least 15 minutes, then log their results at the
GBBC website. Last year over 140,000 people in 135 different countries participated and counted over 17 million birds!
That is a powerful lot of data, people.
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| 2014 Statistics from GBBC |
The Great Backyard Bird Count was started in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Some of you might know about the Cornell Lab from their online bird guide, All About Birds. When trying to identify a bird, that is usually where I end up! My favorite feature of their online guide is the 'Similar Species' sections. As long as I know what bird it sort of looks like, I can go to their bird guide and browse through birds that look similar, and then usually I'll find it.
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| Hmm, still having trouble identifying this bird... |
The data from the Great Backyard Bird Count helps researchers track bird populations. Due to weather, habitat changes, or other factors, different species will increase
or decrease. Bird populations will move, sometimes migrating to new locations. Last year's data showed the effects of the cold 'polar vortex' in the US, a finch 'superflight' to new locations due to food shortages in Canada, certain Mexican species moving north due to climate change, more Snowy Owl invasions into the US from Canada, and a surprise
Yellow-Rumped Warbler that somehow made it all the way to England from North America!
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| female Yellow-Rumped Warbler |
In honor of the Great Backyard Bird Count, the next few blog posts will be focused on birds and birding. Ever since Mr. Red House and the kids gave me my first bird feeder several years ago, I've gotten really into bird watching. It's so much fun, and I especially appreciate it in winter, as it connects me to the outside when the cold weather keeps me inside.
So mark your calendars for February 13 - 16! I wonder what the data will show this year?
Are you planning on participating?
