By J. Foster Fanning
This article is also appears in the February 2025 edition of the North Columbia Monthly and has been adapted for the Huckleberry Press. All photos at right are by J. Foster Fanning.
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), otherwise known as the Global Bird Count, occurs each year in February, over Presidents’ Day Weekend in the United States and Family Weekend in Canada; this year it will be February 14-17. As a wildlife enthusiast, it is one of my favorite happenings! Cornell Lab of Ornithology along with the National Audubon Society are the primary hosts for this event. At the end of this article is a link to help you get started.
There are several objectives for the GBBC, including catalog observations to help scientists understand global bird populations before spring migrations. The GBBC’s data is added to ongoing efforts to track birds, which can be used for conservation efforts, and creates a real-time snapshot of where birds are located around the world.
The GBBC, which began in 1998, gets people excited about birding in the winter, and is a great opportunity to introduce people to birding. Participants can count birds in their favorite places, such as their yard, neighborhood, park, or a birding hotspot, and submit their checklists over the four days.
The event also encourages attendees to participate in a photo contest, play bird games and quizzes, and post on social media about the birds they’re seeing. You can study up ahead of time using online guides like the free Audubon Bird Guide app or the free Merlin ID app. This is citizen science on a fun and engaging level.
Here is what Cornell Labs had to say about the 2024 GBBC: “Each year we think we’ve reached the ceiling in terms of the numbers of people who will spend at least 15 minutes (usually more) watching, celebrating, and reporting their birds for GBBC – and each year you surprise us! Collectively, we found 7,920 species of the world’s known species. Hundreds of countries and subregions came together to share bird sightings. Thank you to everyone who shared in the joy of birds with us! Be proud of all we have accomplished, together.”
At the 2024 GBBC, in addition to the 7,920 species identified: 210 countries or subregions participated; 384,416 eBird checklists; 313,874 Merlin Bird IDs; 164,740 photos, videos, and sounds added to Macaulay Library; 642,003 estimated global participants; and 385 reported community events. All in all a great turn-out! Want more information? Go to: www.birdcount.org
Bundle up, take a thermos of hot beverage and snacks, your camera, field glasses and a friend or two, and head off into the great outdoors. It is truly an enjoyable and worthwhile event. See you out there.
J. Foster Fanning is a father, grandfather, retired fire chief and wannabe beach bum. He dabbles in photography as an excuse to wander the hills and vales in search of the perfect image. Learn more at fosterfanning.blogspot.com.