GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The count of birds gathering at feeders or just about anywhere else is on.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a four-day snapshot of bird populations around the world.
Birds are busy outside the Nature Center at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay,
“We have feeders on both levels, we scatter feed on the ground of course, you can see,” said Mike Reed, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
Reed tells FOX 11 the area attracts many winter birds like chickadees, nuthatches, and different types of woodpeckers.
“It’s a good way to sort of break up the monotony of February winter weekends in Wisconsin. Do something that you can do from the comfort of your kitchen table if your feeders are right outside your window.”
He says the 22nd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count gives people a chance to observe bird populations in the region.
“There’s no limit to the amount of time. You can do a short watch. You can count all day. You can make repeated counts over this time period,” he said.
After the counting is done, people are asked to document what they see. Reed says a bird checklist is a good start, but then those results need to be entered online.
“Just Google in Great Backyard Bird Count, and it will take you to the e.bird app, where you can report your findings”
Reed says scientists will use the information to track trends in bird populations, densities, and migration patterns.
“It’s mainly for your own enjoyment. Birds are just beautiful creatures. They’re interesting to observe, and they’re very good bell weathers for the environment. So it’s important to keep track of their populations because that does indicate the health of the environment they’re in.”
Great Backyard Bird Count runs through the 18th.
