February 13th

By Mutt Mulligan

Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend

Research indicates that the number of birds in North America has dropped by 29% in the last 50 years. That equates to a loss of 2.9 billion birds since 1970.

This weekend (Feb. 14-17) you can help scientists further research and understand bird populations by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The GBBC was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. It is the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and share results in nearly real-time.

How to participate.

To take part, simply tally the numbers and kinds of birds you see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. Learn more about how to get started here: https://gbbc.birdcount.org/get-started/.

Why birds matter.

Birds are an important part of the ecosystem – contributing not only to the beauty of the world around us, but also to pollinating the plants that feed us and enhance our environment. Birds also help with pest control. Additionally, species like vultures plan an important part in the lifecycle of nature.

Plant with birds in mind.

Since nature starts in your backyard, you can do a lot in your own yard to support birds with your living landscapes. Mix in native plants to restore the habitat that birds depend upon. Also, layer different types of plants to give birds protection. Plants that produce fruit fuel migratory birds, while flowering plants provide nectar and insects for feeding hungry birds.

Learn more.

To learn more about the importance of the living landscapes in our own backyards and community green space, go to TurfMutt.com.