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Get Ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count!
February 2006
flyingbcc_Fritz.JPGThe Great Backyard Bird Count
(GBBC) returns for its ninth season February 17-
20, 2006. The National Audubon Society and the
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology encourage
everyone to COUNT BIRDS WITH A BUDDY! Bird
enthusiasts of all ages can share their love of
birds with a friend, a child, a scout troop, a
class, or a co-worker-opening new eyes to the joy
of birding and the fun of creating a unique
snapshot of winter bird abundance and
distribution across the continent.
Every pair of
eyes is needed and everybirdy counts, whether in
a backyard, on a high-rise balcony, in a park, or
on any of the 730 million acres of public lands.
In 2005, participants sent in more than 52,000
checklists, with a record-breaking 613 species
and more than 6 million birds counted. These
millions of sightings generate what would be
impossible otherwise-continent-wide information
about where the birds are and how their numbers
compare with those of previous years. Anyone with
Internet access can see the results in maps and
charts as the sightings pour in.
"The level of energy created each February by
Great Backyard Bird counters is phenomenal," said
Dr. Paul Green, director of Citizen Science for
Audubon. "What always amazes me are the new
discoveries made by people across North America.
Some bird watchers even send digital photos to
back up their reports. Last year participants
sent in more than 1,000 photos and many are now
part of the GBBC web site gallery."
For nearly a decade, the GBBC has kept tabs on
the ever-changing patterns of birds in winter.
How far north will American Robins be reported
this year? Will Sandhill Cranes migrate early or
late? Introduced Eurasian Collared-Doves have
been turning up in new states-where will they be
this year? Native Red-bellied Woodpeckers have
been spreading to the northeast-will the trend
continue? Scientists also want more information
on declining species, such as Rusty Blackbirds
and Painted Buntings. While these species are
suffering due to the continued destruction of
their preferred habitats, other factors, such as
mercury accumulation in Rusty Blackbirds, and
removal of Painted Buntings for the illegal cage
bird industry, may make a bad situation worse.
"This project has become a major source of
scientific information about North American bird
populations," said Dr. John Fitzpatrick, director
of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. "It is
a classic example of the vital role citizens and
the Internet now play in understanding our
planet."
In 2006, for the first time, the Lab of
Ornithology and Audubon are launching an element
of friendly competition. Awards will be given to
localities that submit the most checklists,
record the greatest number species, or count the
highest number of birds. (Last year's top
numbers: 433 checklists from Gautier,
Mississippi, 169 species from Corpus Christi,
Texas, and 291,246 birds from Squaw Creek
National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri.) A photo
contest will also be held based on bird pictures
taken during the event and submitted for posting
on the GBBC gallery. Winners will be announced
after all the data from the event have been
submitted.
This year, the Western MAryland Homeschool Group,
The Maryland Homeschool Hiking Club and The
MAryland Homeschool Biking club will be
sponsoring a bird count at Rocky Gap State Park
on Monday, Feb. 20th. This is open to the
community and anyone wishing to participate
should meet at the first parking lot on the left
before you pass the entrance gate to the beach
area. There are bathrooms and soda machines here.
Please bring your cameras, notebooks and pens,
and a snack and drink if desired. We will meet at
1:00 in the afternoon and hike around the loop
side trail to watch for birds in the area or you
may just hang out to watch. We will not be
responsible for any injuries/acidents! Everyone
can participate, from beginning bird watchers to
seasoned experts. During the count, bird watchers
tally up birds for as little as 15 minutes, or
for as long as they like, keeping track of the
highest number of each bird species they see
together at one time.
People are encouraged to report birds from public
lands and local parks, as well as from their
backyards. Participants enter their numbers
online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc and can explore
sightings maps, lists, and charts as the count
progresses.
Year-round, anyone can view results from past
counts and learn how to participate by visiting
www.birdsource.org/gbbc. There is no fee or
registration for the event, which is sponsored by
Wild Birds Unlimited,The Westernmaryland
Homeschool Group
(http://www.westernmdhomeschool.tk/), the
MAryland Homeschool Biking Club
(http://www.marylandhomeschoolbiking.zoomshare.com
/), and the MAryland homeschool Hiking Club
(http://www.marylandhomeschoolhiking.zoomshare.com
/) in our area. For more information, contact the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology at
cornellbirds@cornell.edu or (800) 843-2473 if in
the United States; (607) 254-2473 if calling
internationally; or contact Audubon at
citizenscience@audubon.org; (215) 355-9588, Ext.
20. Or locally contact Earlene Sorrells for info
on the Rocky Gap event :
westernmarylandhomeschool@hotmail.com ,
flatpizza@hotmail.com, 240-727-0675, 301-777-
7520.
In the Case of Inclemet weather, please call
first before arriving.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit
membership institution interpreting and
conserving the earth's biological diversity
through research, education, and citizen science
focused on birds.
Audubon is celebrating its centennial year of
protecting birds and other wildlife and the
habitat that supports them. Its national network
of community-based nature centers and chapters,
scientific and educational programs, and advocacy
on behalf of areas sustaining important bird
populations, engage millions of people of all
ages and backgrounds in positive conservation
experiences.
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Fall bike trip
Bird Count Hike,Bike , Walk ,Photo event Feb. 20
Bike trip April 2 2006
Bike Trip March 26th 2006
Bike Trip March 11th 2006
