2010 Great Backyard Bird Count

"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 and in Hawaii. 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."

Our family has participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count for at least the last 5 years, but we think it's been more years than that.  The GBBC is something we look forward to doing every year as a family. 

Bird books and binoculars in hand, we set out, using whatever time we might have available that weekend to watch the birds around our yard -- each person in his or her own pre-chosen spot.  And then together we check over our lists, and then submit our data.  

It's fun for the whole family ... it's free ... it's Science for the whole family ... it's Orinthology for the whole family ... and it's a fantastic Nature Study too.  Our Cherubs have been known to take their Nature Journals along ... there have been more than a few sketches and notes of "new" (to us) birds spotted.

Why Count is a great article that explains why this annual Bird Count needs to be done.

For additional information about the FREE Great Backyard Bird Count, read How To Participate.

And to get a free list of birds for your area, please click here to print a Data Form for each "counter" in your household.