The Great Backyard Bird Count is about birds—but is also about the people who make it all happen. Individuals, nature centers, parks, and schools adopted the GBBC as their own in an unprecedented way in 2008. They held bird walks, ID workshops, and many other events tied to the count, welcoming people of all ages and skill levels.

Young Max gets excited about birds! Photo by Jenel Evans-Edwards, Delaware

Three- and four-year-olds at the Concord Preschool in Wilmington, Delaware, read stories, made pine cone and milk-jug feeders, created bird art, took bird walks, and counted for the GBBC. Teacher Jenel Evans-Edwards says, “I know they will never forget cardinals or crows, or especially the call of the Red-winged Blackbird, who does not say conk-a-ree, but repeats the name of two children in our class, depending on who is in possession of the identifier!”

Participation in the GBBC is a source of civic pride for the people of Callawassie Island, South Carolina. For the fourth year in a row residents of this 800-acre island have led their state in checklists submitted. Dr. Barre Wright gets everyone fired up.

“In the weeks prior to GBBC I encouraged folks to ask me or a master naturalist to stop by their places and review what birds seemed to be frequent visitors,” he says. “They could also email digital photos to me for help in identifying a mystery bird. What wonderful fun the GBBC is and it’s especially rewarding to see some of our school-aged youngsters here on Callawassie eager to participate too!” 

The Great Backyard Bird Count got the creative juices flowing for artist Christian Kasperkovitz, even in what he calls “a very urban and gritty area of Hollywood.” He painted murals of city birds with facts about them in English and in Spanish. “I hoped in pointing out that different birds live in the neighborhood others would start to see them too,” Kasperkovitz says. “It started a lot of conversation on the street about birds.”

Bird murals and photos by Christian Kasperkovitz, California

More than 13,000 participants took a few extra minutes to fill out the GBBC online survey, and more than 4,000 left comments and suggestions, some of which we hope to implement next time around in an effort to keep improving the project. The enthusiasm, satisfaction, and joy of discovery come through in many comments. Here’s just a sample:

	Sean has the makings of a top birder! Photo by Jenel Evans-Edwards, Delaware

“We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the local birds in our area during the months preceding the bird count…Participating in the bird count has given my children a little taste of what it is like to be a scientist."

“It is more than a rewarding experience. I will do this every year from now on because it feels like I am doing something more to help the birds other than just feeding them.”

“I really enjoyed this program. It gave me a chance to do what I love and see new species which included a Great Horned Owl. I got to be with my dad. Thank you!”

“The Backyard Bird Count is AWSOME! I like learning about birds!”

Thanks to everyone who took part in the GBBC this year—save the dates for next year: February 13-16, 2009!


--Pat Leonard