Your Backyard Counts - The Great Backyard Bird Count

FEBRUARY 18-22, 2022

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a joint project of Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society and is sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited. It takes place over four days each February. Simply count the birds! Count the numbers of birds and the species variety. You can count in your backyard or any location you like for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the count days and then simply report the information online at www.birdcount.org

The Great Backyard Bird Count gives you the opportunity to make a difference by participating in this annual event which links citizens with scientists in an effort to collect important data about backyard birds. This extensive information data base is analyzed by scientists to better understand important trends in bird populations, range expansions, habitat changes and shifts in migration patterns.

 

How to Participate

Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.

Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.

Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 18-21, 2022.

Step 3: Count all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:

If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to the count, try using the Merlin Bird ID app.
If you have participated in the count before, try eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website (desktop/laptop).
If you are participating as a group, see instructions for Group Counting.