Great Backyard Bird Count Coming

By John Wilson

John Wilson

This open winter hasn’t been great for bird watching, they don’t seem to come to our feeders when the weather is nice. But my wife and I notice an increase in activity on particularly cold or windy days. We enjoy being able to sit at the dining room table and see all the different birds that come in to feed.

Based on our experiences, here are a few suggestions if you are feeding our feathered friends. Anyone who feeds birds knows how easy it is for seed to turn moldy in feeders. Moisture from snow or rain can leak into feeders and turn bird seed into potential sources of illness for birds. You should keep feeders clean to help prevent the spread of disease to backyard birds.

Clean and disinfect feeders on a regular basis, taking care to scrape out old moldy seed that collects in corners. Wash feeders in warm water with dish soap and rinse. Disinfect with a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach to nine parts warm water. Make sure feeders are completely dry before refilling with seeds.

It’s important to keep feeding birds once you start so they don’t become dependent on you as a food source, only to run out of food during periods of severe weather. You know, the kind of days you really don’t want to go outside to fill the bird feeders.

Also, if possible, provide water for birds. This is extremely important during the winter because other sources of water may not be available. It seems chilly, but birds regularly use our heated bird bath. Besides water to drink, they use it to help keep their feathers clean which makes them, for lack of a better term, fluffier! This extra insulation gives them better protection against bitter cold temperatures.

Now, if you REALLY enjoys bird watching, there’s an event in February you won’t want to miss … and you can take part from the comfort of their home. The 17th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be February 14–17. Participants are needed to count birds in their yards, neighborhoods, or other locations. Simply tally birds for at least 15 minutes on any day of the count, then go to www.birdcount.organd enter the highest number of each species seen at any one time.

This program used to be held in the United States and Canada, but is now conducted worldwide. Coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada, the count provides an instant snapshot of birdlife across the continent. Organizers hope to receive more than 100,000 checklists during the event. Also, you can watch as the tallies come in at www.birdcount.org.

Whether you observe birds in your backyard, a parks, or a wilderness area, the Great Backyard Bird Count is an opportunity to share their results at www.birdcount.org. It’s fun and rewarding for people of all ages and skill levels–and it gets people outside… or you can watch from inside, too!

Information from the Great Backyard Bird Count participants is even more valuable as scientists  try to learn how birds are affected by environmental changes. The information you send in can provide the first sign that individual species may be increasing or declining from year to year. It also shows how a species’ range expands or shrinks over time. A big change, noted consistently over a period of years, is an indication that something is happening in the environment that is affecting the birds and that should be followed up on.

So, to take part in this activity for the birds, go to www.birdcount.org for online instructions and tally sheets… then enjoy our feathered friends. My wife and I participated for the first time last year… it’s easy and it’s fun!