Annual census of feathered friends starts Friday
The dark-eyed junco, a member of the sparrow family, is one of the more common birds to be observed during the Great Backyard Bird Count. They winter in the Sacramento area but migrate to forests or woodlands for summer. Image courtesy stephmcblack, license via Pixabay
See a birdie? Time to take note!
Starting Friday, grab some binoculars (and your smartphone) and participate in one of the world’s largest citizen science projects. All it takes is 15 minutes in your own backyard or neighborhood park. And the whole family can get involved.
It’s the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a four-day snapshot of avian diversity that’s become a worldwide phenomenon. More than a half million birders take part each year.
Counters will have to go some to top 2024, when this event broke most of its records. Last year, 642,003 bird watchers participated worldwide – a 16% increase from 2023. In 2024, 7,920 species were counted in 210 countries; 682 species were recorded within the continental United States.
During the event over the long Presidents’ Day Weekend (Feb. 14 through 17), volunteers of all ages and abilities take part in this census of our feathered friends. Because its emphasis is on backyards and neighborhoods, the count helps build awareness of our suburban wildlife while serving as a measurement of bird diversity since 1998.
To get you started, the organizers are hosting a free webinar via YouTube at noon Wednesday, Feb. 12. (Register in advance to get the links.)
“Panelists will explain how to participate in this exciting global event and how participation might extend past your back door,” say the hosts. “Discover how to join a group taking part in the GBBC and explore fun ways to involve kids. From bird ID tips to counting birds with ease, this webinar is your ticket to an engaging and confident GBBC experience.”
Sign up for it here: https://www.birdcount.org/
Co-hosted by the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the GBBC is open to birdwatchers anywhere. And it’s free to participate.
The challenge is simple: Count how many birds you see during a 15-minute period (or more) during the four-day event in a specific space, such as your backyard. You also can count birds in a neighborhood park, along a stream or river, or wherever you like. The key: Document what you see including the bird species as well as number.
Handy tools are offered online to help with identification, such as Merlin Bird ID. (It can ID most of your sightings with three easy questions.) Also, take photos to help with that ID process (and to document your observation – experienced bird watchers will review your findings).
Then, submit your list of birds to the GBBC using the eBird tool (also available online).
In the U.S., the birds appearing on the most checklists were distinctive species that are easy to spot (and tend to love bird feeders): northern cardinal, house finch (with the distinctive red face and upper breast) and dark-eyed junco.
In 2024, California submitted the most bird checklists – 21,585 – more than any other state.
GBBC isn’t limited to home landscapes. Locally, birders reported 70 species along the American River Parkway, one of several local hot spots. Another hotspot: The Cosumnes River Preserve.
To participate or learn more: https://www.birdcount.org/
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Enjoy this spring weather – and get gardening!
* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. Time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.
* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.
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* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters. (You also can transplant seedlings for many of the same flowers.)
* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.
* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.
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* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.
* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.
* Add mulch to the garden to maintain moisture. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.
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