![\"alt=""\"](\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/k12\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/27737040722_f40fc52e29_o-1280x853.jpg\")
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Birds are everywhere, in virtually every habitat, at all times of the year. Simply pay attention to the world around you and you’ll be amazed by the various<\/span> species of birds and nature itself. The annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is happening<\/span> February 16th through the 19th, 2024. This annual event is a great way to fuel your curiosity about birds, engage with nature, and connect with other birders and nature-loving people across the globe.<\/p>\n GBBC is a global event that gets people excited about birding in the winter by creating a winter snapshot <\/span>of birds. For four days, people unite to observe, learn about, count, and celebrate birds! In 2023, the outcome was once again incredible–approximately 334,000 people counted 7,727 species of birds in 253 countries. This year, we hope you’ll join us. GBBC is a great opportunity to share your local environment with the world.<\/span><\/p>\n The best part about GBBC and birding, in general, is that getting involved is simple. Because birds are everywhere, this event is highly adaptive. You can contribute to the bird count by viewing birds in your backyard. To maximize the experience and your observations, we recommend you count for at least 15 minutes. If you\u2019d like, you could count for much longer, and contribute more observations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can keep track of your observations any way you\u2019d like. You can start submitting data at midnight on the first day of the count, and the data entry will remain open, for the four days, until March 1st. There are three primary ways to submit your observations to the GBBC. The first is through <\/span>BirdCount.org<\/span><\/a>, the second is through <\/span>eBird.org<\/span><\/a>, and finally, through the Merlin Bird ID app.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Entering your data through BirdCount.org<\/a> is easy! Simply visit the website and look for the tab that says \u201cSubmit Observations.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Another option is to submit data through eBird.org<\/a>, which provides more flexibility, allowing you to submit data through the eBird mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices, and on web pages for desktop and laptop users.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As one of the largest biodiversity databases, eBird is a popular option for submitting data. However, eBird does not allow users under the age of 13 to create accounts. Many educators and even parents choose to make group accounts that allow young learners to participate in bird-counting fun!<\/span><\/p>\n A key part of participating in the GBBC is being able to identify the birds you observe. Don’t worry if you aren’t an expert. We’ve got tools to help!<\/p>\n The Merlin Bird ID app is a great resource to use to identify birds and to prepare for the Great Backyard Bird Count.\u00a0 If at any point during the four days of GBBC you observe a bird that you cannot identify, Merlin ID can help! You can use Sound ID, Step by Step ID, or Photo ID to help you determine your unidentified bird.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Get to know your neighborhood bird by use Merlin Bird ID to create a list of local birds. In Merlin, use the Explore feature and filter by likely birds and you’ll get a list of common birds in your area. From this list of likely birds, you can pick out a few to get to know before the big event by creating your own local field guide. Challenge each student to become an expert on one of your likely birds by drawing it and researching interesting facts using information from the Merlin Bird ID app and <\/span>allaboutbird.org<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Follow these steps to filter by likely birds in your area.<\/p><\/div>\nWhat is the Great Backyard Bird Count?<\/h1>\n
How to Get Involved?<\/h1>\n
![\"Kids](\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/k12\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/susan-hobart_kidsbirdwatching_14444458874_o-720x540.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBirdCount.org<\/h2>\n
eBird.org<\/h2>\n
Need Help Identifying Birds?<\/h1>\n
Merlin Bird ID App
![\"Student](\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/k12\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/student-with-technology-720x480.jpg\")
<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\nMake Your Own Field Guide!<\/h2>\n
![\"Instructions](\"https:\/\/www.birds.cornell.edu\/k12\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Junior-Ornithologist-Day-3.jpg\")
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Cooped Up Kids<\/em> Activity 5<\/h2>\n