Love birds on Valentine's Day: Join the Backyard Bird Count

Western scrub jay -- Photo by J.J. Meyer

The 18th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is February 13 through 16.

Count birds at any location for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter your sightings at www.BirdCount.org. The information gathered by tens of thousands of volunteers helps track changes in bird populations on a massive scale. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way for people of all ages to connect with nature. Participation is free. To learn more about how to join the count and download instructions, go to www.birdcount.org. While you're there, get inspired by the winning photos from the 2014 GBBC photo contest.

Happy Birding!
J.J.