Do Your Part for the Great Backyard Bird Count

© Birdfreak.com via Flickr

Get ready for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count! Scheduled for February 17-20, everyone is encouraged to participate, whether you're a beginner or seasoned birder. The count can be done anywhere, at any time, on any or all of the designated days. The data collected provides important information to conservation and government organizations that can influence decisions on public policy. Participating is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count.
2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time.
3. Enter your results online.