In 1998, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society initiated the first online citizen science bird census to collect data on the distribution and abundance of birds in the winter landscape—the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).
In 2009, Birds Canada joined. Since 2013, the GBBC has been an annual global event where scientists, amateur birders, students, and families participate in the four-day count on President’s Day weekend in February. The 2025 count is February 14–17.
Although titled Great Backyard Bird Count, the census can take place anywhere there are birds. Congaree National Park and Sesquicentennial State Park are popular places to view birds but also consider Riverbanks Botanical Garden, Saluda Riverwalk, USC’s Horseshoe, Belser Arboretum, a neighborhood park, and, of course, your own backyard or schoolyard. Since birds are a powerful educational tool, K-12 classroom participation is highly encouraged by Cornell Lab and Audubon. www.birds.cornell.edu/k12 and www.audubon.org/get-outside/activities/audubon-for-kids…