Science for Audubon. During the count, bird watchers can 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 own backyards.      

      To sign up to receive a packet by mail write to Cornell Lab, c/o Jennifer Smith at 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 or e-mail jls29@cornell.edu. Type GBBC in the subject line. Include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address in the message.

      Participants enter the number of birds counted online at www.birdsource.org/

gbbc and can explore sightings maps, lists, and charts as the count progresses.

      For more information contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at www.cornell

birds@cornell.edu or call (800) 843-2473.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a joint project of Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology,  returns for its ninth season February 17 - 20.

      Bird enthusiasts of all ages can share their love of birds with a others - 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.

      “The level of energy created each February by Great Backyard Bird counters is phenomenal,” said Dr. Paul Green, director of Citizen