Bird Lovers: Two Important Events!

· by · in Biodiversity, Birds, Endangered species. ·

Mark your calendar: Two important bird events await your participation: Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (Sunday, Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, 2015); and the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) , Feb.  13 through 16, 2015.  Details below

What a pair! courtesy of Ella Clem Kentucky

What a pair! courtesy of Ella Clem Kentucky

115th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (Dec 14-Jan 5, 2015)

Yes, for over a century Audubon has called on volunteers throughout the U.S. to do an annual Christmas Bird Count. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile- wide diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. If your home is within the boundaries of a circle, stay at home, watch your feeder and yard,  and count away – then submit to the compiler.  Check on details to find a circle, or what to do if your property is outside a circle, and how to sign up.  It’s really easy.  Use this link to sign up.  Look at the searchable map to find circles (don’t forget to sign up)

Snowy owl at Breezy Point (New York City). Photo by Francois Portman (all rights reserved).

Snowy owl at Breezy Point (New York City). Photo by Francois Portman (all rights reserved).

Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb 13 through 16, 2015)

The Great Backyard Bird Count  team — made up of Audubon,  Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Bird Studies Canada –works together on this worldwide annual bird count. Volunteers like you in dozens of countries participate.  GBBC went global in 2013. Here is the official site to learn more and participate.

Townsend's Warbler courtesy of Craig Kerns

Townsend’s Warbler courtesy of Craig Kerns

In 2014, people from 6 continents submitted checklists. Here are the tallies

  • Checklists Submitted: 144,109
  • Total Species Observed: 4,296
  • Total Individual Birds Counted:17,748,756
Diwny woodpecker photographed during 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count. Thanks to Denise Brautigan!

Downy woodpecker photographed during 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count. Thanks to Denise Brautigan!

You will need to create a GBBC account (it’s really easy). Anyone in your household can participate. You can do your counts at home or a nearby park/woods. And you can submit counts every day or not. It’s good to submit a list online every day, but not required.  And it’s fun!  Here’s the instructions

Why is it important?  Populations of some bird species are declining dramatically; some others are flourishing. Your participation – and your counts –actually helps bird experts figure out what’s going on in different regions and countries.

If you love birds, feed your feathered friends and go birding , these events are for you!  Please spread the word about these birding events.