Observe Nature in February: Do the Great Backyard Bird Count!
Do you struggle with finding new and interesting things to do in the winter that DON’T involve a screen?
Sometimes we do too! One of the best things about Community Science is that it offers families purposeful and fun opportunities to get outside during times that you might not typically choose to do so! If you’re a homeschooling family, the benefits go even further than that! Community Science is a way to get everyone involved at their own level, and still feel connected to a larger purpose. You can leverage a Community Science project like the Great Backyard Bird Count to connect with whatever your students are learning in math, science, or even art. So why not, go ahead, and observe nature in February!
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fantastic way to observe nature in February.
Next year, the Great Backyard Bird Count takes place from February 16th-19th, 2024. During those four days, families around the world will observe birds at a designated location near their home for at least 15 minutes on one day of the count (but feel free to continue your observations for as long as you wish!) The particular location you observe is up to you. It can range from your backyard bird feeder, to a tree where birds love to congregate, to a local birding hotspot.
No matter where you choose to observe birds, you’ll collect your observations for the Great Backyard Bird Count in one of two ways:
Merlin Bird ID App (iOS, Android): This is best for beginners and is FREE. Check out this tutorial for more details on how to use this awesome resource for identifying and recording your birds!
eBird App (iOS, Android) or eBird on the computer (URL): This is another FREE app for birders, and is the gold standard for serious ornithology folks! If you’ve birded before, chances are that you know about eBird already. If you’re ready to contribute your observational records during the Great Backyard Bird Count with eBird, check out this video to learn more.
What do you need to do the Great Backyard Bird Count?
Truthfully, not much! If you only have a smartphone and one of the free apps we mentioned, you’re good to go. Other helpful things to have on your bird observation outing in February would be:
Binoculars. These are the beginner pair that Kelly has – they have worked well for her so far as a beginner birder.
Local bird guidebook. We love Sibley Birds East for our Southeastern PA location.
An Observation or Nature Journal if you keep one. We encourage you to start keeping an Observation Journal if you haven’t already!
Your usual “go bag” for nature outings if you’re venturing further than your backyard. You never know when someone might need a snack or a bandaid! 🙂
How To Participate at a Glance:
- Observe from February 16-19, 2024. No specific sign up needed!
- Watch Webinar offered by the GBBC closer to the date.
- Record your bird count into Merlin Bird ID or eBird.
- Share your bird photos to become a part of the Macaulay Library. Learn more here.
- Explore more purposeful and fun family field trips by checking out our comprehensive Community Science blog post . It has ideas for each season and sign up below to get notified when we add new ideas each month.
