Get Geared up for the 17th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count

Words by sstevens

Published February 12, 2014

Contact: Staci Stevens, sstevens@audubon.org

This year, bird watchers from more than 100 countries are expected to participate in the 17th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), February 14–17, 2014. Anyone anywhere in the world can count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter their sightings at www.BirdCount.org. The information gathered by tens of thousands of volunteers helps track the health of bird populations at a scale that would not otherwise be possible. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada.

Last year’s Great Backyard Bird Count shattered records after going global for the first time, thanks to integration with the eBird online checklist program launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab and Audubon. Participants reported their bird sightings from all 7 continents, including 111 countries and independent territories. More than 34.5 million birds and 3,610 species were recorded—nearly one-third of the world’s total bird species documented in just four days.

The Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary located at 1800 Upper Canyon Road will be hosting a free, family-friendly GBBC event this Saturday, February 15^th from 10a.m. – 12p.m. Birders of all ages and experience levels are invited to participate. Volunteers and staff will be on hand to assist with bird identification and data entry and snacks will be provided.

If you can’t make it up to the Audubon Center on Saturday, you can also participate in the GBBC from the comfort of our own home. “The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fun way for even novice birders and kids to participate in a world-wide bird count,” said Carol Beidleman, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon New Mexico. “Whether you can make it to the Santa Fe event or prefer to count birds at your backyard feeder, we hope that New Mexicans around the state will take 15 minutes or more to contribute to this important citizen science event.”

The GBBC is a great way for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature and make a difference for birds. It’s free and easy. To learn more about how to join the count visit www.birdcount.org and view the winning photos from the 2013 GBBC photo contest.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is made possible in part by sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

Audubon New Mexico: As the state office of the National Audubon Society, Audubon New Mexico’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. http://nm.audubon.org.