New York, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Port Rowan, ON—Fun for one abounds when birders join forces for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Getting involved with friends, family, or a community group means there are more eyes to see the birds and a deeper well of knowledge to draw from. Knowing where birds are being seen—and not being seen—is more important than ever during this El Niño year, and as climate change influences bird movements.
The 27th annual Great Backyard Bird Count takes place February 16 to 19, 2024.
More than an estimated half a million people participated in the 2023 GBBC. They report more than 7,500 species of birds from 200+ countries.
“The GBBC is growing every year and that’s a positive thing,” said David Bonter, co-director of the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “It is well established that time spent in nature is good for us. Nor would we be able to monitor long-term changes in bird populations without the eyes and ears of all our enthusiastic participants. The world is changing rapidly , and birds often. first show the effect of environmental change.”
“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 a love of birds and learn new skills. Nothing beats the spark of joy on a new birder’s face when they spot their first bird. We invite everyone from all over the world to make it a tradition with friends and family.”
Birds were often in the news last year. Flamingos in Wyoming. The first sightings were a Red-flanked Bluetail in New Jersey, and a Cattle Tyrant in Texas, among others. Ornithologists think the birds may have been swept away by increasingly fierce storms. This year’s weather will also be affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
“This year’s strong El Niño conditions could bring surprises to the 2024 Great Backyard Bird Count,” said Patrick Nadeau, President and CEO of Birds Canada. “Temperatures are likely to be warmer which could have an impact on the timing of spring migration and influence food availability. There may be more sightings of unusual visitors wherever you look for birds.”
To participate in the 2024 GBBC, each participant or group counts birds for any length of time (but in at least 15 minutes) and enter the birds they identify at each site they visit. 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 read the complete instructions on the GBBC website where they will also find useful birding tips and birding app downloads. The GBBC website also features a new map for marking local GBBC community events. Birders can join in to help celebrate birds in their hometown. https://www.birdcount.org/community-map/
You are also invited to tune in to a special webinar on how to participate in GBBC that will be held on Thursday February 13 at 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern Time. It’s FREE. The webinar will include a representative from the Riverland Audubon Center in Missouri and an educator who will provide suggestions for GBBC-related activities. Register: https://bit.ly/47zPdlU.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada and is made possible in part by founding sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.
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Media Contacts:
• Nicolas Gonzalez, National Audubon Society, (310) 897-9836, [email protected]
• Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (607) 254-2137, [email protected]
• Kerrie Wilcox, Birds Canada, (519) 586-3531 ext. 134,
[email protected]
