Great Backyard Bird Count

Overland Park, KS:  Well, I woke up this morning to 8 degree temps that feel like -10 and 17 to 20mph winds.  The one benefit of this kind of weather was very active bird feeders.  I love to see Dark-eyed Juncos hopping on the snow and American Goldfinch enveloping the Nyjer feeders.  Even the Carolina Wren was frequenting the hulled sunflower seeds.  I really hope that the yard stays this active for the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend.  Every year the Great Backyard Bird Count is held in February and is a blast.  This year it is the 12-15 of February and is a great opportunity to take an active role in birds.  Also, this is great for all ages and it only takes 15 minutes.  You can count for as long as you want as well so if you are having fun keep it rolling.  The GBBC is a joint project between Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada.  What this count accomplishes is like a data snapshot of birds all across the continent at one time.  Scientists use this data to track bird distribution from year to year.  If you feel like getting out of the house for a count many of your local Audubon Chapters and Nature Centers will be hosting events that you can drop in on.  I am going to help with the Burroughs Audubon Society count at their library at Lake Jacomo in Blue Springs, Missouri.  For local events in your state go to http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/local-events and for general information click the Great Backyard Bird Count button on the right side of my blog.  Not every event is listed so feel free to post other events on the comments section of this blog.  I know there are some in Kansas that aren't listed.  Remember to have fun and please share some of your counting fun with me and the readers I love to hear them! 

 

Northern Cardinal and American Goldfinch

Female Northren Cardinal & Dark-eyed Junco

Even A Squirrel Was Having Fun

Carolina Wren Enjoying Some Sunflower