The Canyon Country Discovery Center will host its first-ever Great Backyard Bird Count on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The event is part of an international effort that the Audubon Society and the Cornell University Ornithology lab sponsor. People at locations all over the world are encouraged to do some birding in their local communities and submit data documenting the species and numbers of birds seen to “eBird,” a citizen science database for bird observations.
“We hope that all birders, wildlife enthusiasts, and local residents who would like to dabble in a fun citizen science event will show up and participate,” the discovery center said in a statement.
The center will provide a small booklet with information about winter birds of the Monticello area, plans for building a simple bird feeder and information about how to submit your own data on bird sightings to eBird. It also hopes to gauge interest and discuss the possibility of expanding birding activities and hosting a more rigorous Christmas Bird Count in the future.
Binoculars and a few field guides will be available for people who are not able to bring their own. Participants may show up at any time between 1 and 3:30 p.m. and spend as little as 15 minutes or as much as two hours birding on the discovery center’s campus. The center will compile all of the data and submit it via eBird at the end of the event.
For more information about the Canyon Country Discover Center and upcoming events, go to: www.fourcornersschool.org.
