Audubon Needs Citizen Scientists For Annual Bird Count, Phd Not Required (+Video)

The Great Backyard Bird Count, a yearly four-day event that invites the public to collect data on birds in their area, remains among the world’s most enduring citizen science projects.

Those with time to spare on Presidents’ Day weekend may want to take a few minutes to contribute to advancements in ornithology.

The annual Great Backyard Bird Count, to be held this year from Feb. 12 to 15, will see amateur birdwatchers and experts alike flocking to backyards and parks to count and report sightings of birds in their area.

El Niño is expected to bring surprises to this worldwide count taking place February 12 – 15, 2016. – Connecticut Audubon Society

Part of a global effort to learn more about bird behavior, environments, and conservation strategies, the project, founded by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, today underscores the growing importance of public participation in scientific research in an age of big data and growing connectivity.

“Citizen-science projects like the Great Backyard Bird Count are springing up all over the world,” said Jon McCracken, national program manager at Bird Studies Canada, in a statement. “More and more, scientists are relying on observations from the public to help them gather data at a scale they could never achieve before. The GBBC is a great way to get your feet wet: you can count birds for as little as 15 minutes on one day or watch for many hours each day at multiple locations – you choose your level of involvement.”