27th annual Great Backyard Bird Count on this weekend

This weekend is for the birds, or rather the bird count. The 27th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count is on Friday through Monday, February 16-19.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Andrew Holland says conservation groups rely on citizens and the annual global count for important data.

“Around the world, this information’s valuable because it helps identify trends or identify whether bird numbers are up or down.”

More than half a million people in 200 countries participated last year, identifying 7,500 species of birds.

He says in Canada, the count is a way to track winter bird populations.

“Typically, if you see a healthy number of blue jays and cardinals and black hat chickadees and woodpeckers, that’s a sign of a healthy environment. It’s when you don’t see a lot of those birds around then it’s cause for concern.”

Holland says it’s a free event and a great way to spend some time outdoors.

There are plenty of spots to go birding around Belleville including Stanley Park, the Bell Creek Woods and Wetlands and Jane Forrester Park which is also popular for bird watchers.

“There’s mallards, black ducks, Canada Goose. Lots of different gulls, common loon. Then you have your blue jays, your black hat chickadees, robins. So some of your typical birds you’d see this time of year. But then there’s mergansers, there’s common eyes.”

To be a part of the Great Backyard Bird Count, all you have to do is spend 15 minutes (at least one time or more) watching for birds, identify them and report them through the ebird or Merlin Bird ID apps.

Holland says you can watch birds from a popular birding spot or even from your own yard, deck or balcony.

If you aren’t a seasoned birder, there are apps that can help you identify the birds you see, or even the bird calls you hear.

More details on how to participate and links to the apps here.