Great Backyard Bird Count

Like the GBBC, eBird is an online database program—except with eBird, the counting keeps going. And eBird lets you and your family keep detailed lists of your own sightings, create an individualized menu of your favorite birding spots, and much more.

WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW MANY
Log on to eBird and tell us

1. Where you birded

2. When you birded

3. How many of each species you saw                                              

eBIRD IS THE SAME, ONLY DIFFERENT
You've eBirded before—almost—when you participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Only now, you can do it year-round, and you and your family can build your own database to help you answer your own questions. Haven't you wondered...

  Common Redpolls are one of the "winter finches," absent in some years but seemingly everywhere across the northern states and southern provinces in others. Your backyard observations can help scientists understand why they make these movements. Read more about winter bird irruptions

• if a bird you just identified is unusual in your area?

    eBird lets you create a map of where this species has been reported,    
    showing  you if other people in your area are seeing it, too. Show me an
    example.

• if crow numbers have declined in your state after West Nile Virus appeared?

  eBird can create a graph of how their numbers may be changing in your area. Show me an example.

• what birds you might see at a particular location?

  eBird can create a bird list for any location in the United States and Canada based on actual reports. Show me an example.

• if the large flock of robins you've been seeing in your front yard over the winter is typical?

  eBird lets you track where robins and other bird species are being reported and in what numbers. Show me an example.

WITH eBIRD, THE BIRDS DO THE TEACHING
Examples of what we have learned, and are still learning, about birds, thanks to your observations:

• Carolina Wrens and Harsh Winter Weather

eBird Observations from backyards across the Northeast show how last winter's frigid temperatures and snowfall affected Carolina Wren populations. Find out more.

• Hummingbirds and the Mysteries of Movement Patterns

More and more reports of western hummingbird species are coming in from southeastern states during the winter months. Your observations are essential in tracking their whereabouts, which will help uncover patterns and may yield insight into why they are being found in this area. Find out more.                                                    

The Cedar Waxwing is one of eBird's Most Wanted birds this winter. Find out why and what other birds made the list at the eBird web site. If seen, be sure to submit your observation!

GET YOUR FAMILY INVOLVED
eBird is a great way to preserve your memories of birding as a family or a group. Unlike paper checklists, the observations you submit are preserved and accessible by you and others for all time! When did you take that family trip to the Everglades, and what did you see? eBird lets you check. More good reasons to get your family or community group involved:

• You can "adopt" your favorite natural places – a local park, a school, the grandparents' home, even your own home! Set up regular visits weekly or monthly to this special place and input your sightings into eBird. The more reports your provide, the more you – and researchers – will discover about the birds that live there.                    

• Getting your kids interested in eBird is a healthy pastime. The Internet elements and map-making capabilities offer the immediacy of a computer game, except eBird is all about birds! The regular features at eBird offer great opportunities for your kids to learn about the birds they see, or that they perhaps dream of one day seeing.

eBird is for  anyone, anywhere, and at anytime! Observations collected by students at Jamaica Bay will provide valuable information about the birdlife at the Gateway National Recreation Area in New York.