[audubon-news] 7th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
- From: "BIANCHI, John" <JBIANCHI@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <audubon-news@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,<chapter-communicator@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 15:50:36 -0500
Contact: John Bianchi
212/979-3026
jbianchi@xxxxxxxxxxx
AUDUBON AND CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN THE SEVENTH
ANNUAL GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
Learn How to Make Your Backyard and Family 'Bird-friendly'
While Contributing Your Time to Bird Conservation
New York, NY & Ithaca, NY, January 20, 2004 - In the United States, an average
of 2.1 million acres of land is converted to residential use every year.
Eighty percent of U.S. households have private lawns, more than any other
country in the world. This enormous, though often overlooked, habitat is
crucial in efforts to save North American birds and the natural resources they
depend upon. If only people knew its value, and just how easy it could be
managed by the millions of bird and nature lovers that own backyards, as
healthy havens for wildlife - and not-so-wild life.
From February 13-16, 2004, bird enthusiasts are invited to take part in the
Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a project developed and managed by the
National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with sponsorship
from Wild Birds Unlimited storeowners and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) of the U.S. government, and with participation from Bird Studies
Canada for the first time. During the event, everyone who enjoys birds will be
able to submit their observations through BirdSource www.birdsource.org
<http://www.birdsource.org>. Whether they spend a few minutes or several hours
counting birds, GBBC participants will help scientists determine the status of
birds continentwide. At the same time, the project will teach participants how
to turn their backyards into real, useful habitat for birds.
"Improving backyards is an important way to create greenways for birds between
parks and wild areas," said Frank Gill, Audubon's Director of Science. "Yards
allow for the cultivation of native plants and provide essential sanctuary to
migratory and resident birds. Participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count
gives people a first-hand view of how important bird-friendly backyards are to
many bird species."
The purpose of the Great Backyard Bird Count is to track the abundance and
distribution of North America's winter birds, as a means to ensure that common
birds remain common, especially during a time when birds face many
environmental hurdles. "The Great Backyard Bird Count is a terrific way for
individuals, families, schools, and community groups to contribute to a better
understanding of birds," says Gill. "Another way is to create healthy backyard
habitat, especially during this time of environmental challenges that includes
habitat loss and degradation."
An important step in creating healthy habitats is to become a "bird-friendly
family." Going on a family bird-watching outing and keeping a yearly list of
the birds that visit the yard are examples of ways families can become
bird-friendly. Keeping a pair of binoculars and a field guide handy are
particularly good for encouraging children to learn more about birds and the
habitat right around their home.
"Kids are naturally curious about the environment in which they live, and birds
are a terrific window into that environment," says John Fitzpatrick, Director
of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "Because children are the environmental
caretakers of the future, it's important that we do all that we can to foster
their interest in the natural world."
In preparation for the GBBC, participants are invited to visit the web site for
suggestions on how to become a bird-friendly family. They are also invited to
explore the "Audubon At Home" site to learn the best ways to improve the health
and diversity of their backyards with native plants, water, and other
wildlife-friendly elements. By promoting the basic messages: reduce pesticide
use; conserve water; protect water quality; plant native species; and remove
exotic pests, "Audubon At Home" seeks to involve everyone in creating healthier
habitat for birds, other wildlife, and people, too.
Researchers hope that by learning more about the birds and habitats in their
own backyards, families will decide to become part of Project FeederWatch, a
winterlong survey of birds that visit feeders. "FeederWatch data have been
instrumental in our analyses of winter finch movements and Varied Thrush
cycles, and have even helped us track a new avian disease, mycoplasmal
conjunctivitis, or House Finch eye disease," says Fitzpatrick. "We have
thousands of dedicated FeederWatchers to thank for many new scientific findings
important for bird conservation."
Gill adds, "Hand in hand with participating in Great Backyard Bird Count and
Project FeederWatch, it's important to remember that when we invite birds and
wildlife into our yards we are responsible for keeping these guests safe from
man-made hazards." He points out that more than 100 million and perhaps as
many as a billion birds are killed each year when they collide with windows.
Instructions about minimizing window kills, proper placement of birdhouses and
feeders, keeping house cats indoors, and removing other threats to the health
and safety of wild creatures will be available to participants and anyone who
visits the Great Backyard Bird Count web site.
In addition to offering bird-friendly tips, this year's GBBC will again help
participants across the continent identify puzzling backyard species,
especially those that are easily confused with other species like the American
Tree Sparrow, which to the uninitiated can look much like the more southernly
wintering Chipping Sparrow. The site will also explain why some familiar bird
names have been changed. For example: the much-loved Rufous-sided Towhee is
now considered to be two species by the scientific community, the Eastern
Towhee (in the East) and the Spotted Towhee (in the West).
As always, the GBBC web site also includes a vocabulary section, bird-watching
and bird-feeding tips, bird vocalizations, and more, including information
about Project FeederWatch and House Finch eye disease. Educators will find the
bibliography and geography sections especially handy, and there are even
suggestions on how to conduct the count with groups of children.
Instructions for participating can be found at www.birdsource.org
<http://www.birdsource.org/>/gbbc. There's no fee or registration. Those who
would like to participate but aren't online can try their local library. Many
Wild Birds Unlimited storeowners, as proud supporters of the count, are online
to accept reports and, in support of GBBC, are donating a portion of purchases
made by their customers. Libraries, businesses, nature clubs, Scout troops,
and other community organizations interested in promoting the GBBC or getting
involved can contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at 800/ 843-2473 (outside
the U.S., call 607/254-2473), 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850,
or Audubon at citizenscience@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:citizenscience@xxxxxxxxxxx>
or 215/355-9588, Ext 16, Audubon Science Office, 545 Almshouse Road, Ivyland,
PA 18974.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit membership institution
interpreting and conserving the earth's biological diversity through research,
education, and citizen science focused on birds.
Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat
that supports them. Our Citizen Science programs for bird enthusiasts, and
advocacy on behalf of Important Bird Areas, engage millions of people of all
ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.
# # #
Editors, please note: Reproduction quality electronic photographs of several
dozen bird species are available from Audubon through the media relations
department. Please contact:
Kristy Wright
212/979-3027
kwright @audubon.org
John Bianchi
212/979-3026
jbianchi@xxxxxxxxxxx
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