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
