It’s February again, and it’s almost time for the Great Backyard Bird Count! This year’s count will be on February 17th through the 20th, and bird enthusiasts around the world will join in collecting useful data from the comfort of their own backyards.

It’s easy to participate: for as little as 15 minutes, choose a single location (like your backyard or favorite birding spot) and notice the birds around you. Write down every individual you see or hear, including their species, then submit your data online. The minimum amount of time you can spend counting is 15 minutes, but feel free to take as much time as you want over the course of the 4-day event! After all, when it comes to science, more data is always better!

The Great Backyard Bird Count is hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon, and Birds Canada. Beginning in 1998, this event is a global community science project that has provided key data for scientists, conservationists, and researchers to better understand fluctuations in bird populations around the world. In the face of environmental challenges like climate change, birders can be a crucial resource for collecting these data and tracking how birds are responding to those challenges.

Want to get involved? All you need is a pen, paper, and a way to submit your data. Visit birdcount.org to learn the ways you can submit your count and watch the results roll in in real time. If you’re not confident in your bird identification skills, try the free Merlin Bird ID app from Cornell Lab to help identify birds and submit your results and attend this webinar on February 15th to get some expert guidance.

Join us and the global community of birders to observe, celebrate, and support the birds!