Great Backyard Bird Count Returns February 18 & 19

Grab your binoculars and head to Tingley Beach February 18 and the Botanic Garden February 19 for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Volunteer from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. with other citizen scientists around the country for this annual snapshot of migratory birds. Bird-spotting checklists will be provided and volunteers will help identify bird species. All information collected will be given to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to be compiled with bird location data from around the country.

On February 18 at 8 a.m., writer and Audubon Society volunteer Judy Liddell will take eager birdwatchers on a hike from Tingley Beach to the Bosque and highlight local bird species. During both days, Discovery Stations will teach bird-watching techniques to help find and identify bird species easier.

"By tracking bird data around the country at once, ornithologists discover important aspects of bird behavior and populations," said Kathryn Venzor, BioPark Education Curator. "This single event can help scientists understand where birds migrate, how climate affects migration and where disease may affect bird populations."

To attend please call the BioPark Education office at 505-848-7180 and RSVP by Friday February 17. On Saturday please check-in at the Tingley Beach Train Depot to obtain data collection materials. For Sunday's gathering please check-in at the Botanic Garden gates.

Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society. To learn more about the project, visit www.birdcount.org. The event is free for both days at both BioPark locations.