great backyard bird count: february 14-17

It’s back! The Great Backyard Bird Count is back for its 17th year!

From Friday, February 14 through Monday February 17, bird watchers around the globe will be counting the birds at their feeders, in their yards, at their favorite parks or anywhere birds are found.

Last year’s Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) shattered records after going global for the first time, thanks to integration with the eBird online checklist program launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab and Audubon. Participants reported their bird sightings from all 7 continents, including 111 countries and independent territories. More than 34.5 million birds and 3,610 species were recorded—nearly one-third of the world’s total bird species documented in just four days.

Anyone can participate for any or all of the four days of the GBBC. If you are an avid citizen scientist you know what it’s all about and, if you’ve never tried it, it’s easy, fun and real contribution to what we know and love about birds.

Click here to find out more about how it works, explore past year’s data, check out last year’s photo winners.

As we have in past years, RCAS is holding its monthly marsh walk to coincide with the GBBC. Join us on Saturday, February 15, at 8 am. As always we meet at the West Rutland Price Chopper parking lot. 

We hope to see you on the 15th! In the meantime, fill your feeders, have your field guide at the ready or check out the online guide by clicking here, and enjoy the count.