Date: 02/05/10
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT 2010

For parents who are looking for a low-cost activity in which they can involve their entire family, now’s the time. February 12–15 is the Great Backyard Bird Count, sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.

“Count for Fun, Count for the Future!” is the theme of this annual event, which aims to get adults and children involved in citizen science. By counting birds in individual backyards and reporting the data to a national depository, ordinary citizens are able to be a part of real scientific research. Data collected during the Backyard Bird Count is complied into a database called the Avian Knowledge Network. From this data, scientists can determine if bird species are experiencing changes in the ranges where they occur, or if they are increasing or decreasing in numbers. Scientists can also determine the spring migratory routes of certain birds, and look for changes from prior years.

During the 2009 bird count participants submitted more than 94,000 checklists, which included 620 different species and a tally numbering over 11 million individual birds.

“Kids love outdoor science projects, and with this project the parents can learn something, too,” said Margie Klein, wildlife education coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

There are a few guidelines for counting backyard birds. Set aside at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. Keep a separate list of birds for each day. For each species of bird you see, count the most you see at any one time. Make sure that the largest number of birds is not recorded by more than one person.

It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the bird species you might see. A good place to start is the Nevada Department of Wildlife website, www.ndow.org. Bird checklists will let you know what birds occur in your area. The next step is to consult a field guide to assist with bird identification.

If your children haven’t used binoculars before, this is a good opportunity for them to learn. Younger children can start getting used to looking through lenses by holding two empty toilet paper rolls up to their eyes. When they’re ready to progress to the binoculars, instruct them to focus on a fixed object in the yard. With your help, they will soon be able to zoom in on birds that appear in the yard.

Klein said, “Using teamwork in your approach will greatly help the identification and counting process.”

When you are finished counting for the four days, submit your numbers online at www.birdcount.org where you can complete an official data form. You can also submit your photos from the count and enter them in a photo contest. The website includes a kids’ page with games about birds, including Eagle Eyes, Guess Who’s Squawkin’, and Bird Quiz. When all the data is tallied, you get to see your results on a nationwide map.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.