The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It's free, fun, and easy-and it helps the birds."

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Spread the Word!

CommonRedpoll_NormDougan_BC2012.jpg
 Common Redpoll, Norm Dougan, BC
 2012 GBBC
 

Your Help Will Make a Difference

The success of the Great Backyard Bird Count depends on participants from every community helping count birds across the United States and Canada and the entire world. Spread the word in your town by asking people to count birds for at least 15 minutes during February 15-18, 2013. It's fun, easy, raises awareness of birds, and provides an important record of where the birds are--a record that scientists can use well into the future to track how birds are faring as their environments change.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada invite everyone to "Count for Conservation."

Seven Ways to Spread the Word in Your Community

1) Put up posters and distribute them in your community. You can download a poster/brochure and print it out. (Note that posters from ink jet printers may not last in the rain.)

2) Alert bird clubs, community groups, and newsletters about the count. You can print out a poster and news release  or send an email with a link to the Great Backyard Bird Count web site, www.birdcount.org.

For suggestions about which groups to contact, see our list of community groups.

3) As the count nears, send email messages to your friends, relatives, and favorite list serves, encouraging people to participate.

4) Send the news release to local newspapers and television and radio stations about the count in January or early February. See our tips on how to contact the media. A timely calendar announcement or feature can significantly boost participation in your area. Be sure to mention if you are willing to be interviewed about the count.

5) Give a GBBC slideshow or lead a workshop for a school, bird club, library, or other community group.  Or lead a workshop by helping people learn about the common birds in your area and explaining how they can count birds for the GBBC. If you are planning a slideshow or workshop, or know of one in your area, publicize it by alerting your local media. Let us know about it too so we can add it to the GBBC local events web page. Send the date, location, and contact information to Pat Leonard at pel27@cornell.edu.

To download a slideshow and script, go to the Great Backyard Bird Count Slideshow page.
PIWO_WilHershberger_WV2012.jpg
  Female Pileated Woodpecker, Wil
  Hershberger, WV, 2012 GBBC
 


6) Set up a count site at an Audubon Center, park, or nature center in your area. During the count, lead bird walks or give demonstrations to visitors. Be sure to let local media know about our event in advance to help publicize it. If you organize such an event, let us know about it so we can add it to the GBBC local events web page. Send the date, location, and contact information to Pat Leonard at pel27@cornell.edu.

7) Provide data forms and regional checklists for people without Internet access. Ask them to return the data forms to you so you can enter the data on the GBBC website by March 1, 2013.

Print your state or provincial checklist.

Would you like to be on our list of Great Backyard Bird Count ambassadors? As the count approaches, we'll send you email with ideas and updates about this year's count. Visit our GBBC ambassador page to find out more.

Thanks for your help!