25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count taking place this weekend

25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count taking place this weekend
Nature Conservancy of Canada

This weekend the 25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will take place, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking people to participate.

To get involved, people need to go into their backyard, subdivision, local park, or nature reserve for about 15 minutes and watch or listen for birds, then record observations using the eBird app or website.

Participants can also use the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify bird species.

NCC says when people document their findings they’re contributing vital information that helps experts track the health of bird populations in British Columbia.

Bird populations in Canada are in flux. Waterfowl and birds of prey appear to be growing in number, more than doubling their populations since 1970, but shorebirds and aerial insectivores like swallows appear to be disappearing at alarming rates.

The bird count takes place from Feb. 18-21.

EBird also has a database where users can find which types of birds they can expect to see in their region.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society and Birds Canada.

The headline was updated to reflect this event is not put organized by Nature Conservancy of Canada, but they are helping to raise awareness about the event in Canada.

Laura BroughamLaura Brougham

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