You don’t have to be an ornithologist to help out in the name of science. In fact, you don’t have to be an expert of any kind. All you need to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 15-18, is a discerning eye and at least 15 minutes to hang around a bird feeder or your own backyard.
Jon Beam, senior environmentalist with the Montour Environmental Preserve, said the annual event, now in its 11th year, “provides a snapshot of what’s happening with bird populations.”
North American residents who get outside during the next four days and record their findings are actually working as amateur scientists, because the final tallies will help ornithologists and environmentalists gauge migratory patterns and see how bird populations vary in different regions.
“This is all important information that will give us an idea of the impact humans have on the bird population and the environment,” Beam said.
He added, “A team of scientists would not be able to gather the information that these volunteers do.”
With a quick lesson, even inexperienced birdwatchers can identify and record bird species in their area. Beam said birdwatchers can spend as little as 15 minutes in one spot counting groups of birds. Record the highest number of a species you see at one time. For example, if you see two sparrows together, then later see a group of four, you would report the higher number.
Numerous species are common to Pa., including chickadees, cardinals, sparrows, blue jays, mourning doves and the titmouse. One to watch out for is the red poll, a northern bird that has made appearances here in recent winters. The birds don’t normally live in this region and some years aren’t spotted at all, Beam said. Also, be sure to note any birds you can’t identify or species that aren’t common to the area.
Beam suggested watching for birds at a state park, in wooded areas, in your neighborhood or at the preserve, located four miles northeast of Washingtonville. Or, if you prefer, stay inside and watch out a window.
“The wonderful thing about birds is that they’re just about anywhere,” he said.
During this time of year, birds tend to be most active in the early morning hours, at midday and again around dusk, Beam said.
For kids, the bird count can be a fun way to occupy time, get outside and learn about the animals that live near their homes. Beam suggested making a game out of it by seeing who can spot and count the highest number of birds.
Whether you make a day of birdwatching or just spend 30 minutes in the woods, the organizers of the Great Backyard Bird Count want to know what you’ve observed. Submit your counts online through www.birdcount.org. You can also visit the site to view last year’s results, get a checklist of common birds in a particular region, listen to bird sounds and see pictures of bird species found in the U.S.
Also, bring a camera along on your birdwatching adventure to capture your most colorful find. The sponsoring organization holds a photo contest each year, with prizes awarded in several categories. See the Web site for details on how to enter photos in the contest.
For directions to the Montour Environmental Preserve, call 437-3131.

Pam Dailey: 570-742-9671
pam@standard-journal.com