The Global Backyard Bird Count is an annual citizen science project that aims to collect data on bird populations around the world, that takes place this year between 17 and 20 February and is open to anyone, regardless of their level of experience or expertise.
To participate in the Global Backyard Bird Count, participants simply need to count the birds they see in their backyard or any other location they choose for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the days of the count. They then submit their observations online through the eBird platform, which is a global database of bird sightings maintained by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society.
The project started back in 1998 and was the “first online citizen-science project (also referred to as community science) to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real time.” In 2013 it became a global project and since, “each year our participation grows as more people of all ages around the world spend their weekend counting, learning about, and celebrating birds,” the organization says.
As per reports, last year more than 385,000 people from 192 countries took part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, so this year the number is expected to grow. Anyone can participate, as a beginer bird admirer and new to bird identification, there are apps which tell you what birds you are seeing or hearing. The data collected during the Global Backyard Bird Count helps researchers and conservationists track changes in bird populations and distribution over time, as well as identify areas of concern that may need further attention. It is also a fun and easy way for people to get involved in citizen science and contribute to important research on birds.
Source: globalnews.ca
