The Great Backyard Bird Count runs Feb. 16 -19 this year, free to participate, everyone encouraged to join in, and it can take as little of 15 minutes of your time.


1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes during February 16 - 19, 2007. Count birds at as many places and on as many days as you like - just keep a separate list of counts for each day and/or location.

2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time, and write it down.

3. Enter your results on the Great Backyard Bird Count web site!

You can grab a tally sheet specific for your area, spend 15 minutes or so enjoying birds, and submit your results to help our feathered friends out.

Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird populations are dynamic; they are constantly in flux. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.

I encourage local folks to blog here on their experiences, tell us about those birds, share any photos you get.