Whether you’re in the woods, at a city park, near a lake, on a college campus or simply looking out your window, you’re welcome to join the flock of people around the world who annually participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count.

The four-day event, organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in collaboration with Audubon and Birds Canada, invites volunteers to watch birds and record what they see, immensely enriching the Cornell Lab’s trove of data. This year’s Bird Count is Feb. 14-17.

It could be – as reported in past years – a northern cardinal in Canada; a southern yellowthroat in Brazil; a steppe eagle in India; a woodland kingfisher in Ghana; or one of hundreds of other species spotted worldwide.

“Birds are fun, striking creatures that we see everywhere,” Project Leader Becca Rodomsky-Bish said. “This is a way to welcome and connect people who are curious about nature.”

The Bird Count began in 1998 with around 30,000 participants in the U.S.; back then, sightings were recorded on paper and submitted by mail. It has since gone online and grown to more than 640,000 people – experienced birders and first-timers alike – reporting from around the globe.

To participate, you need only to observe (or listen for) birds for at least 15 minutes during the four-day period and record your sightings using either the Merlin Bird ID or eBird app. 

Said Rodomsky-Bish: “It’s a relatively low bar for people to engage in a science endeavor that also happens to be really fun.”

In fact, the count is a prime example of “citizen science” (also known as “participatory science”) – in which members of the general public collect data that contributes to research and the advancement of knowledge. In 2024 alone, the Cornell Lab’s open-access eBird database was cited in nearly 250 academic papers on such topics as migration patterns, population numbers, and the impact of climate change.

Why is the Bird Count held in mid-February? In part, because that’s just prior to a major seasonal migratory period – and also because it’s a time when many residents of colder climates crave the balm of nature.

But also, according to Rodomsky-Bish: “It gives people something fun to do in the winter.”

Melissa Newcomb is a writer for Cornellians.