9 Years Ago

A World Of Birds To Count - Are You Part Of It?

The Great Backyard Bird Count starts today!
People all over the world take part - I wondered how many FAA members do.
As photographers, and lots of painters, too, we are already tuned in to seeing birds.
I did this last year over the 3 days and it was really fun - and it's a process to learn to count them when suddenly there are a lot and a lot of different kinds!

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon are running it and it is really part of such important work to preserve habitat, etc. - here is the link to read more - http://gbbc.birdcount.org/

So if you are also counting - tell us here, and say where you are from.

Reply Order

Post Reply

Andrea Lazar

9 Years Ago

Forgot to say - I'm in Auburn, outside of Cleveland, Ohio -

Andrea Lazar

9 Years Ago

WOW This is sad........ not one person has left a message here that they are taking part in this..... or are interested..... or care!

I must say I am thoroughly disappointed! I was delusional and thought people who love to photograph birds must also care about keeping them around...... totally bummed!

Karen Cook

9 Years Ago

Not only am I taking part, and did last year too....,my photo of the Snow Bunting is the cover photo for Feederwatch Canada's Twitter feed for the Great Backyard Bird Count. I am located in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia in Canada

https://twitter.com/PFWCanada/status/566205185106526208/photo/1

Andrea Lazar

9 Years Ago

Yeah! Karen - thank you!! And congratulations on your photo getting such wonderful recognition.

We are having near white out conditions and the temperature is plummeting from the 20's this morning to near 0 now with wind-chill around -18.
It is nice to look out from my warm kitchen at the flocks of birds on the deck enjoying the seeds - remarkable how they manage in this bitter weather!

And a Cooper's Hawk just swooped down but missed its mark! Amazing drama! And what beautiful beings they all are!

Good luck - and have fun!

Karen Cook

9 Years Ago

We are getting a NorEaster tomorrow - 20 inches or so of new snow. The birds were here feeding heavily this morning including our daily flock of ring necked pheasants. However as the day progressed, it was only the Black Capped Chickadees who remained..probably because we hand feed them peanuts! It is amazing to watch these creatures survive what nature throws at them.

Do you belong to any bird watching groups on FB??

Phyllis Beiser

9 Years Ago

I have never participated but may be interested in doing so since every waking moment I am either chasing them with my camera or painting them!

Debbie Oppermann

9 Years Ago

I have never heard anything about this until now so will check it out, thanks!
Edit - I'm from Guelph On Canada and have just joined in

Susan Sadoury

9 Years Ago

Just now learned of this will check it out.

Jai Johnson

9 Years Ago

I'm not counting this year but have done it before. I spend every day with my feathered friends. :) In fact, I was outside from 8:30am - 3pm today photographing my songbirds. LOVE THEM!

Andrea Lazar

9 Years Ago

Karen -
Pheasants! They must be quite a site! As for the chickadees, they are my favorites! They are so brave and friendly, and we have lots of them, too. I had no idea they eat peanuts!

I don't belong to any bird watching groups on FB, but I get newsletters and support the local Audubon group, though I've never actually participated in any activities.
As for FB - I have a total of 6 friends! - I just can't fit it into my life.

Phyllis -
the beauty of this is that you can do as little as you like - just one 15 minute watch - or as many times as you have time for. And every little bit helps. Super quick and easy to sign up and you can also use their terrific resources to identify and learn about the birds you see.

I also ran across a site that alerts you when locally a flock will be in some area so you can plan to be there - I have yet to follow up, but that could be handy for photographers!

Debbie and Susan -
Great! If you decide to do it - have fun and check back!

Jai and everyone else - thank you for adding your comments......

And this is what I was hoping for, to have people who don't know about it, look into it. I feel much better now!

Cascade Colors

9 Years Ago

I have participated in annual 'Big Day' type bird counts in the past, years ago, as I've been a birder since childhood and have a 'life list' :), but I have not participated in backyard counts. Basically, in recent years I have lived in highly urban/suburban areas with very little bird life. If I ever live somewhere again with more diversity, or at least outside of a city, I'll definitely take part.

This discussion is closed.