Do you ever wonder which bird is singing that beautiful note you are hearing? I do that all the time.

When looking at various bird guides, they always include something to give you an idea of what that sound will sound like. But…I don’t know about you…but it never sounds like I read it. Besides, usually, I ONLY hear the bird, not see it.

One of my favorite bird songs is made by the RedWing Blackbird. I just get thrilled every time I hear it. But it just does not sound like chortle-deeeeee.

I have a cd that plays sounds and identifies birds, but I don’t find it useful. Since I don’t know what bird I’m hearing, it makes no sense to listen through both CD’s to find the sound of one bird.

So…other than taking an expert at sound identification out with you every time, how did you learn the bird songs? What resources do you use?

I’m looking forward to hearing your responses.

The ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is taking place February 17–20, with a special opportunity to “Count Birds with a Buddy!” The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are asking birders to share their passion with someone new to this wonderful pastime. At the same time, every participant contributes to scientific knowledge by joining the only count that creates a mid-winter snapshot of what the birds are doing across North America.

“People can take as long as they like watching birds as part of their GBBC day,” said Dr. Paul Green, Audubon’s director of Citizen Science. “Most important is that people get outdoors and have fun counting the birds they see. Then they can be amazed at the results they produce on the GBBC website; the animated maps are especially great.”

No fee or advance registration is necessary. Participants note the highest number of each species they see at any one time and enter their sightings online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. The web site also includes instructions and bird watching tips. The count is run by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with sponsorship by Wild Birds Unlimited.

In 2005, birders sent in more than 52,000 checklists, with a record-breaking 613 species and more than 6.5 million birds counted. By visiting the results pages at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, participants can see what was reported in their own towns or across the continent, and read what scientists found about the changing numbers and distributions of birds. This year’s information could help show how birds may have been affected in areas stricken by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as update what we know about declining species such as Rusty Blackbird and Painted Bunting.

Something new for bird watchers this year: the first-ever GBBC contest will generate some friendly competition. Awards will be given to states, provinces, and localities that submit the most checklists. Participants can also enter a photo contest by taking pictures of birds during the event and sending them for posting on the GBBC online photo gallery.

For further information, and to find out more for your locations, visit the Audobon Society and check out local chapters.

Birders keep lists. It’s in their nature

They keep lists of the total number of species catalogued in a lifetime. They keep North American lists. State lists. Neighborhood lists. Day lists. They keep “man powered” lists of the birds they’ve seen while on foot or bike. Some even keep lists of the species they’ve spotted mating.

Read Up Earl with the Birds….

The first time I saw a wood duck I was awestruck. I had seen pictures of them yes, but seeing one was unreal. At first I wondered if I was seeing a live duck…it just sat there moving with the water.You might check to see if they are in your location. In the US, it seems the largest concentration is in the Southeast, though they certainly can be found in other areas…for instance, I’m in the Pacific Northwest.

To get more ID information on them, visit http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i1440id.html

Happy Birding!

Greetings Bird Lovers!

The Great Backyard Bird Count returns for its ninth season February 17-20, 2006. The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology encourage everyone to COUNT BIRDS WITH A BUDDY!

Bird enthusiasts of all ages can share their love of birds with a friend, a child, a scout troop, a class or a co-worker — opening new eyes to the joy of birding and fun of creating a unique snapshot of winter bird abundance and distribution across the continent.

Every pair of eyes is needed and ever birdy counts, whether in a backyard, on a high-rise balcony, in a park or on any of the 730 million acres of public lands.

Anyone with Internet access can see the results in maps and charts as the sightings pour in. In 2005, participants sent in more than 52,000 checklists with a record-breaking 613 species and more than 6 million birds counted!

In 2006, for the first time, the Lab of Ornithology and Audubon are launching an element of friendly competition. Awards will be given to localities that submit the most checklists, record the greatest number species or count the highest number of birds. Photos are also encouraged.

Everyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to seasoned experts. During the count bird watchers tally up birds for as little as 15 minutes or for as long as they like, keeping track of the highest number of each bird species they see together at one time.

Participants enter their numbers online at The Great Backyard Bird Count. This is the site to visit for details on exactly how to participate.

We hope that you will share this information with others and get as many participants as possible. This would be a great project for a scout troop or classroom.

It’s helpful to have a bird feeder out as soon as possible in advance of the event, so you will have an opportunity to identify ahead of time the birds that you will likely see during the count.

Visit WildBirdGoodies.com to order feeders now so you’ll have them as quickly as possible. We will process orders as soon as they are received.

We are excited about participating and can’t wait to watch the stats as they come in.

Happy Birding!

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About the Author

Janet Winter is a web designer, travel agent and writer on many topics. She loves her wild birds and delights in providing helpful resources and unique products for feathered friends at WildBirdGoodies.com.