Tag: Great Backyard Bird Count

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Look Up!

LookUp

I am in love with this introduction to birding from Annette LeBlanc Cate and Candlewick Press. Seriously. It is irresistibly funny and pleasantly informative, and I’ve just added it to my Resource page for Citizen Scientists. (Click here to see that page.)

Look Up! is just the book to get you and your kids ready for this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count, which happens to take place this weekend, February 13-16 . Click here for information on how to participate from your own backyard.

Happy reading! Happy birding!

 

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Wednesday Wild: Focus on Feeders Edition

© Ben Burns
© Ben Burns

This past weekend, MassAudubon sponsored its annual Focus on Feeders bird census. My kids and I managed to spot fifteen species of birds over the course of the two days. Most were at our feeders, but a few, like the crows and the red-tailed hawk, just happened to be flying overhead while we were counting. I was thrilled that one of our resident red nuthatches showed up and posed for a photo, and completely stoked that my son Ben was ready with the camera. (If you are into birds, you can compare this red nut to the white-breasted cousin from this recent post.) Here’s our full species list:

American crow

American goldfinch

Black-capped chickadee

Blue jay

Dark-eyed junco

Downy woodpecker

House finch

Mourning dove

Northern cardinal

Red-bellied woodpecker

Red-breasted nuthatch

Tufted titmouse

White-breasted nuthatch

Red-tailed hawk

Don’t worry if you missed the fun; Great Backyard Bird Count is just two weeks away! I’ll be counting with kids from my local elementary school. How about you?

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‘Tis the (bird census) season …

© Loree Griffin Burns
© Loree Griffin Burns

Yesterday’s post reminded me to remind YOU that some excellent bird-related citizen science opportunities are just ’round the corner …

These are great opportunities to get outside, show off your birding skills, and do a small something to help monitor the birds in your neighborhood.  Both projects are simple, fun and–I warn you!–addicting. My kids and I have participated in one or the other since 2008, and we’ve had some extraordinary moments. (Last year’s sharp-shinned hawk comes to mind.)

All the information you need to get started can be found at the websites linked above. Check them out and see if a bird count is something you can fit into the family calendar. If so, fill up your feeders, dust off your ‘nocs, and invite the neighbors. Happy Counting!