Great Backyard Bird Count

February 19, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

By Kathy Van Mullekom

Daily Press

Warmer temperatures and lack of snow in parts of North America set the stage for what could be an amazing 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, which continues through Monday.

In past counts, it was typical to see robins in places with no snow. This year, robins may been seen in more northern areas while Arctic species such as Snowy Owls could be seen in southern spots, thanks to food availability and not just weather, according to a Cornell Lab of Ornithology press release.

Coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Audubon Society and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada, the count encourages novice and experienced birders to count birds at any location for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the event. Tallies are then entered online at www.birdcount.org. No registration or fee is required.

Last year, participants submitted more than 92,000 checklists with more than 11 million bird observations. These data capture a picture of how bird populations are changing across the continent year after year — a feat that would be impossible without the help of tens of thousands of participants.

“This is a very detailed snapshot of continental bird distribution,” said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in a press release.

“Imagine scientists 250 years from now being able to compare these data with their own. Already, with more than a decade of data in hand, the GBBC has documented changes in late-winter bird distributions.”

To learn more about how to join the count, get bird ID tips, downloadable instructions, a how-to video, past results and more, visit www.birdcount.org.

The count also includes a photo contest and a prize drawing for participants who enter at least one bird checklist online.

Kathy is gardening columnist for the Daily Press in Newport News, Va.