This past weekend in February marked the eleventh annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Though not limited to the backyard, it gives many people a chance to stay at home and observe birds which visit their "own neck of the woods"-their backyard. And it allows the novice to participate as well as the experienced to assist scientists assess the state of the birds in their locale.
It can be that you just focus on the feeders you have, or it can encompass a much larger area. It can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as you want. My own experience produced 17 species of birds in about a three hour period while I paid attention to my whole yard and the ravine at the back of the yard.
It netted me from the large to the small; from a pair of Red-tailed Hawks to the tiny Orange-crowned Warbler. There were, and will always be, people whose count is larger than mine, depending on the size of the yard and diversity of plantings.
So, what does it take to do this? Not much. One can put out feeders, of course, and fill them with something nutritious, like black oil sunflowers to attract a variety of species. Placed about the yard, near cover and plants that attract birds, one can have the pleasure of many species of birds throughout the year. That's a good start.
A good set of binoculars always enhances the game. Bird watching binoculars generally have a wide field of view (especially helpful for the beginner), a close focus of about 5 feet, and the lenses are multi-coated to ensure clear sharp images. Lastly, a good field guide and a checklist of the birds in your area round out the necessities of this endeavor. Your local bookstore probably has a good selection of guides. If you are a novice you might consider the Peterson First Series so you won't get overwhelmed. Yet, there are numerous guides from which to choose and I'm sure that as you explore the joys of birding you will acquire many different field guides.
Yes, this year's Great Backyard Bird Count is over. However, that won't stop me from enjoying birding in my backyard for the remainder of the year.
Roy Smallwood is the owner of Kingbirdfeeders.com. Roy began this enterprise after a 26 year career as a teacher of science. His love and enjoyment of the outdoors and birding in particular is the impetus for the company. He is an active member of the Central Texas Audubon Society. He encourages everyone to participate and enjoy birding whether in the backyard or in the field. Visit http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com and happy birding!
