Concerned that changes in climate and landscape are affecting birds in North America, scientists at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society are asking volunteers across the continent to log on Feb. 18-21 at http://www.birdsource.org/ and tell them where the birds are in the Great Backyard Bird Count 2000.

Last winter, more than 42,000 reports were received at BirdSource, the interactive web site developed by the Cornell University lab and National Audubon. Results, in the form of colorful maps and charts, are available at the web site for all to view as quickly as reports arrive over the Internet. (Directions for participation are at the end of this news release.)

By participating in Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2000, families, classrooms, community groups, and individuals of all ages and skill levels can help scientists document the abundance and distribution of North America's winter bird populations at the start of the first spring migration of the new millennium. Participants count the numbers and kinds (species) of birds seen in their backyards, local parks, schoolyards, or other areas during any or all of the four count days.

The online nature of the count, combined with widespread citizen participation, assists scientists in both the short- and long-term.

"By participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, people from subtropical Florida and Hawaii to Arctic Canada and Alaska will help us understand better the effects of changing weather and landscape on our birds' abundance and distribution patterns," says Frank Gill, senior vice president for science at National Audubon.

Last year, reports showed large numbers of American robins wintering farther north than usual. Further research suggested a connection between robin distribution and absence of snow. For example, in the northern peninsula of Michigan, snow cover exceeded 24 inches, and only one lone robin was reported. In central and southern parts of the state, where snow cover was five inches or less, robin reports were copious. How shifts in distribution tie in with large-scale weather patterns, such as El Ni–o, La Ni–a, and global warming, has yet to be determined. The data entry forms at the GBBC web site will ask participants to provide information about snow cover in their area.

Cornell Lab and Audubon researchers emphasize that every observation of every bird seen is important, no matter how common the species. Chickadees, jays, doves, even the ubiquitous starling and house sparrow -- the GBBC is collecting sightings of them all. It fact, the most common birds often demonstrate the most important patterns, according to John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology..

"Many birds that are now rare or showing population declines were once common," Fitzpatrick said. "The passenger pigeon, for example, used to occur in flocks of thousands and now they're extinct. Red-headed woodpeckers have already disappeared from much of the northeastern U.S. and are declining throughout their range." (He points out that the uninitiated often mistake the more common woodpeckers with red on their heads -- such as the male downy, hairy, or red-bellied woodpeckers -- for this species of high conservation concern. The BirdSource site includes pictures and recorded bird sounds to help identify species.)

"How tragic it would be for the world to learn that the red-headed woodpecker, once a household name in many areas, had joined the likes of the passenger pigeon, the great auk, and other extinct species," Fitzpatrick said. "The Great Backyard Bird Count may yield more data about the current strongholds of the red-headed woodpecker, data that may be used to help implement conservation measures before it's too late."

GBBC 2000 participants also can help with an emerging conservation success story, according to National Audubon's Gill. "In light of the proposed removal of the bald eagle from the list of endangered and threatened species, we encourage birders this year to pay special attention to this national symbol," Gill said. "American and Canadian citizens alike can help scientists monitor the health and abundance of this once-endangered bird with an immediacy and breadth never before possible." He credited support from Ford Motor Company and Wild Birds Unlimited, exclusive sponsors of GBBC 2000, for enabling the web site to feature special pages of information about bald eagles, including how to distinguish them from similar-looking species.

In addition to the eagle feature, the GBBC web site provides educational materials ideal for families, youth groups, and classrooms. There's a "Let's Talk About Birds" vocabulary section, a "Bird-brained Bibliography" of reference books, and a "How to Birdwatch" introduction to birding. Tips on feeding birds are also provided. Kids are expected to enjoy watching as their postal cope appears on the animated map, as well as voting for their favorite bird.

"Birding is the fastest-growing outdoor recreation, with some 60 million people now participating in bird-watching activities," says Fitzpatrick. "If each one of them can spend just 15 minutes noting the birds they see during GBBC, even if only while sipping their morning coffee, driving to work, or taking a relaxing stroll, imagine the kind of snapshot of North American winter bird distribution this would create."

To participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count 2000, tally the highest number of each species seen at one time (so as not to count the same birds more than once). Then log on to BirdSource http://www.birdsource.org and click on the "Great Backyard Bird Count" button. Directions are provided at the site. Participation in the count is free, and no registration is necessary. Those without Internet access should try their local library, nature center, or other community group. Or call Wild Birds Unlimited toll-free at (800) 326--4928 to find out if the franchise nearest you is entering reports for their offline customers. For more information, including how to coordinate efforts to enter reports for those who aren't online, call the Cornell Lab toll-free (800) 843--BIRD (2473) in the U.S., (607) 254-2473 in Canada, or write them at Cornell Lab of Ornithology/GBBC, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology is a membership institution interpreting and conserving the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.

Founded in 1905 and supported by 550,000 members in 530 chapters throughout the Americas, the National Audubon Society conserves and restores natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.