You’re encouraged this long weekend help document the birds you see in your neighbourhood as part of the 25th annual Great Backyard Bird Count – it runs from February 18-21.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada says the Big Backyard Bird Count is run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society and Birds Canada – and when you document your findings through the eBird app, you’re contributing vital information that helps experts track the health of bird populations in Manitoba.
(Image – Downy Woodpecker – submitted)
Last year, over 300,000 people in 190 different countries participated. In Canada, there were over 43,465 lists of birds submitted across all 10 provinces and 3 territories.
The Nature Conservancy says bird populations in Canada are in flux. “On the one hand, waterfowl and birds of prey appear to be growing in number, more than doubling their populations since 1970. On the other hand, shorebirds and aerial insectivores like swallows appear to be disappearing at alarming rates. Loss of grassland birds in Manitoba is a major concern to us.” NCC’s land conservation work protects critical habitat for these species.
(Image – American Goldfinch)
There’s more information about the about the Great Backyard Bird Count at https://www.birdcount.org/participate/
