Great Backyard Bird Count 2012...

Today, marks the beginning of the 2012 GBBC (Great Backyard Bird Count) that will run through Monday, February 20th.   This is the 15th annual count, which is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian Partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

Participants count birds anywhere for as little or as long as they wish during the four-day period. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time. To report their counts, they fill out an online checklist at the Great Backyard Bird Count website.  As a participant and Ambassador of the event I have been spreading the word in my county and drumming up support. For more information, please visit the GBBC website.