So sharpen your pencils, dust off the binoculars, gather the family, and join in on and enjoy one of the best citizen science projects.
Another great opportunity to participate in bird research is coming this week The annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place this year from February 15th to 18th (4 days). The GBBC was started in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society and is a worldwide event. I have been participating in this activity for quite a few years; it is very enjoyable, provides invaluable data, and is a great family activity.
Here are some simple instructions to get started from the GBBC website:
1. Create a free GBBC account if you have never participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count or any other Cornell Lab citizen-science project, or have not participated in the GBBC since 2013. If you already created an account for the GBBC in the past, or if you’re already registered with eBird or another Cornell Lab citizen-science project, you can use your existing user name and password.
2. Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC. You can count for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like—one day, two days, or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day, for each new location, or for the same location if you counted at a different time of day. Estimate the number of individuals of each species you saw during your count period.
3. Enter your results on the GBBC website by clicking the "Submit Observations"tab on the home page. You may also download the free eBird mobile app to enter data on a mobile device. If you already participate in the eBird citizen-science project, please use eBird to submit your sightings during the GBBC. Your checklists will count toward the GBBC.
Here are some simple instructions to get started from the GBBC website:
1. Create a free GBBC account if you have never participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count or any other Cornell Lab citizen-science project, or have not participated in the GBBC since 2013. If you already created an account for the GBBC in the past, or if you’re already registered with eBird or another Cornell Lab citizen-science project, you can use your existing user name and password.
2. Count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC. You can count for longer than that if you wish! Count birds in as many places and on as many days as you like—one day, two days, or all four days. Submit a separate checklist for each new day, for each new location, or for the same location if you counted at a different time of day. Estimate the number of individuals of each species you saw during your count period.
3. Enter your results on the GBBC website by clicking the "Submit Observations"tab on the home page. You may also download the free eBird mobile app to enter data on a mobile device. If you already participate in the eBird citizen-science project, please use eBird to submit your sightings during the GBBC. Your checklists will count toward the GBBC.
Following is a good video regarding the GBBC and family involvement:
Finally, you can practice up on your photography skills and even submit your photos to the GBBC photo contests. Following is several of my photos to help boost your interest in this great project.
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| Downy Woodpecker |
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| House Finch |
Until next time.
