Backyard bird count event for home-schooling families

Staff report

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA.

Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, will host a citizen-science investigation event for home-schooling families from 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 13.

The educational session that will feature hands-on discovery centers, an introduction to bird identification, guided observation and counting of birds and instructions for participation in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

Participants will be encouraged to use their skills to observe birds and submit their own data at home.

The program is appropriate for age 5 and older. Cost is $3 per person, with a maximum of $12 per family. Registration and payment is required by Friday at events.dcnr.pa.gov or by calling 724-794-6011.

The bird count is in its 19th year and is led by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, in partnership with Bird Studies Canada.

The indoor program at Jennings will allow home-schooling parents and their children to work together to learn, observe, count and enjoy birds at the feeders outside the classroom windows.

Jennings staff will explain and demonstrate use of the GBBC website for submitting data and obtaining information. Representatives of the Bartramian Audubon Society also will be available to help.