Millie Mocker

Millie Mocker
Thanks to Millie's friend, Greg Harber, for her photo.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)



We do count!  Did you know you have an opportunity to help bird scientists, called Ornithologists, count bird species? The big weekend to watch birds in your yard, park, or at school is Friday, February 15 to Monday, February 18, 2013. After watching and counting birds, you will get on the computer to submit your report of the number of different species you have seen.  Scientists all over the world analyze the data about birds and compare the data from year to year. They learn about my bird friends that you see each winter and if our populations are increasing or decreasing.
To participate in the GBBC:
1.    You or your parents will need to create an online account.
2.    Watch and count the birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the four days.
3.    Enter your results online at the GBBC website.

By helping the scientists, you can help my friends and me. You can also see what other people in your area, state, or nation have reported. For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count go to http://www.birdcount.org

As you observe the birds, you can also take notes of
·      Time of day
·      Temperature
·      Weather (sunny, cloudy, raining)
·      Where the birds are searching for food
·      Types of bird food eaten
·      How the birds behave with birds of same species or other species
·      Any thing else you find interesting
These notes will help you understand the birds better.

Another way to help scientists is to play “Merlin’s Bird Color Challenge.” This game is helping to train Merlin the computer to solve future bird identification questions. Your answers provide to the computer more information about how people see my bird friends and me. Merlin will do a better job of providing possible bird identification based on colors of the bird you see. This will make bird identification easier for you! Visit Merlin’s Challenge at


Millie's E-Newsletter January 2013:  Vol. 2, issue 1

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