Have 15 minutes to spare for bird science?
That’s virtually all it takes to contribute to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), an annual survey of birds sighted throughout the North American continent over a four-day period. This year’s bird count is scheduled Feb.12-15, when birders of all levels of experience are invited to count the number of birds they see in a 15-minute period and enter their tally, by species, on the GBBC website ( http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc ). Participants can conduct their count in their own backyards, in a neighborhood park or anywhere they choose.
“Taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to get outside with family and friends, have fun, and help birds – all at the same time,” said Judy Braus of the National Audubon Society, which sponsors the GBBC along with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Even if you can only identify a few species you can provide important information that enables scientists to learn more about how the environment is changing and how that affects our conservation priorities.”
Birders looking to venture away from their backyards can head out to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge , where numerous birds are often on display. A recent visitor to the refuge spotted dozens of different species, including tundra and trumpeter swans , a cinnamon teal , a pair of great-horned owls and a northern shrike . “Loads of harriers and other raptors as usual,” the birder reported on Tweeters website ( http://www.scn.org/earth/tweeters/ ).
