Do you have a bird feeder? 15 minutes? Then you can help our winter bird population from the comfort of your home this weekend.

Join the AOF as we participate in the 19th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb 12-15. This citizen-scientist program is an easy and fun way to help the Cornell Lab of Ornithology assess the health of our winter bird population as well as changes in bird movements around the U.S.

It’s easy-  all the instructions are provided but the basics are this:

  1. Register and create an account with the Cornell Lab.
  2. Spend 15 minutes observing the birds at your feeder (or anywhere you happen to be)  during Feb. 12- 15  Aren’t sure what types of birds at your feeder?  The website has a photographic guide of common birds that come to feeders as well as mobile apps for helping with identification.
  3. Enter your results on the GBBC “submit observations”.

You will see the results of your and others observations as well as results from past years.  The Cornell Lab uses this information to track bird movements, increases and decreases in bird populations, the effects of climate and disease on bird populations.  You will be the eyes of the Cornell Lab, right in your own backyard!
More information is provided on the GBBC website.