ICYMI - Fans Flocked Together for the Great Backyard Bird Count 2024

Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) The 27th annual Great Backyard Bird Count took place February 16 through 19, 2024. More than an estimated half-million people participated during the 2023 GBBC. They reported more than 7,500 species of birds from 200+ countries.

"The GBBC gets bigger every year and that’s such a positive thing," said David Bonter, co-director of the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "It's well established that time spent in nature is good for us. We also would not be able to track the long-term changes in bird populations without the eyes and ears of all our enthusiastic participants. The world is changing fast, and birds often reflect the impact of environmental change first."

"Participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count is an easy and great opportunity to bird with your friends and neighbors," said Brooke Bateman, senior director of Climate and Community Science at the National Audubon Society. "Birding with others is a great way to share in the love of birds and learn new skills. Nothing matches the spark of joy in a new birder's face when they identify their first bird. We invite everyone from all across the globe to make this a tradition with friends and family."

Bohemian Waxwing, Nick Saunder, Macaulay-Library,Cornell Lab of Ornithology

To participate in the 2024 GBBC, each participant or group counted birds for any length of time (but for at least 15 minutes) and entered the birds they could identify at each site they visited. That could be their backyard, but it could also be a park, a wilderness area, an apartment balcony, or a neighborhood street.

First-timers should make it a point to read complete instructions on the GBBC website where they will also find helpful birding tips and birding app downloads. The GBBC website also features a new map for marking local GBBC community events. Birders can join up to help celebrate birds in their hometown for next year. https://www.birdcount.org/community-map/

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada and is made possible in part by founding sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

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