Counting Birds

In late February I joined the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), hosted by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Birds Canada. Over a long weekend, citizen birdwatchers count the birds they see and hear from wherever they are (not just the backyard), and send in the count. Birders of all abilities are encouraged to participate, from novices to experts. This was originally a United States-based activity, but it has grown to include birders from around the world.

The Merlin Bird ID app helps you identify birds
(use the key to the right to select a category)

To prepare for the big weekend, I attended a Webinar about how to participate. It was fun to learn how schools use the event as part of their science curriculum (sometimes with a little healthy competition between schools); families and clubs use it as an outing activity; and travelers use it as a way to explore a new area. The Webinar presenters were very helpful and informative, and the Chat was filled with tips and tricks, links to more tools, questions from newbies, and wisdom from the experienced.

I used Merlin to distinguish between a crow and a raven

Two free apps were recommended for the event: Merlin Bird ID helps you discover which birds you see or hear, and eBird Mobile enables you to submit your observations. You can download lists of birds from Merlin for your area or around the globe, and use them to identify the birds you see. Alternative ways to participate are available, such as accessing lists and tools through a laptop computer, and reporting your results by telephone or mail. Lack of a smart phone is not a barrier!

I used the eBird app to submit my observations
(couldn't find a way to delete the crow, after deciding I had seen a raven, but found a way later)

The Great Backyard Bird Count weekend was a lot of fun. I participated from the comfort of our backyard here in the East Bay, in view of the water dishes and the hummingbird feeder; and in San Ramon, during a walk around Bishop Lake. The tools are so useful. I especially like the Sound ID feature in Merlin (it helped me distinguish and identify some of the bird calls from the shrubs that surround the yard). You can see the results of the 2023 GBBC survey, and filter by regions or the world (they are still crunching the numbers, so the final results will be available in early April).

The Merlin Sound ID tool helped me distinguish several bird calls from the shrubs

I'm looking forward to participating in the GBBC event next year, and hope you'll join me from the comfort of your own backyard!