What's A GBBC?
It’s that time of year again, the sun is getting stronger the cardinals are starting to sing and the GBBC is just around the corner.  The what?  The Great Backyard Bird Count a joint project of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, the Audubon Society and the newest partner, Bird Studies Canada.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fun and simple event anyone can participate in.  This year’s dates are February 12-15, 2010 and you can participate from wherever you are on those days.  You can participate for as little as 15 minutes on one day or as many hours as you like on all four days.  Basically you count the greatest number of individual birds in one species you see at one time and record that on a checklist.  For instance you saw three sparrows, one cardinal and two chickadees.  I have participated the last two years and only wish I had more time to sit and count, but that’s the great part of it you can participate even if you can only give 15 minutes. 

The data collected helps scientists to get a more accurate picture of where the birds actually are at a particular time of year.  The count can help answer questions like:

• Where are winter finches and other “irruptive” species that appear in large numbers during some years but not others?
• How will the timing of birds’ migrations compare with past years?
• How are bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affecting birds in different regions?
• What kinds of differences in bird diversity are apparent in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas?
• Are any birds undergoing worrisome declines that point to the need for conservation attention?

The GBBC website www.birdcount.org is full of wonderful information including forms and regional checklists you may want to print off before the count.  There are special pages for children and even a photo contest.  You have until March 1 to submit your bird counts and everyone who submits data is entered into a drawing for prizes.  Join the 2010 Great Backyard Bird Count!  It’s fun for the whole family and helps a great cause…the birds of North America.