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Great Backyard Bird Count at Grandfather Mountain

On February 13th 2010, Grandfather Mountain and the High Country Audubon Society will host a backyard bird count at the Nature Museum. This is an excellent opportunity for birders of all ages and experience levels to come up and be a part of a national effort to count bird populations.

"We've participated in the bird count for four years, but this will be our first year getting the public involved," said Jesse Pope, Chief Naturalist at Grandfather Mountain. "We are looking forward to it."

Everyone who would like to participate in the count should meet in the Nature Museum at 10 a.m. Pope and the Naturalist staff will lead guests to feeders around the property and guide participants through the count.

"This is for everybody," said Pope. "The count is designed for beginners and experts alike. We will have extra sets of binoculars and bird watching equipment on hand to share with anyone who comes out."

Sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Orinthology and the National Audubon Society, this count is part of a much larger census going on across the continent. Any citizens that choose to take part may report their findings to an online database. The bird population is then tallied and placed on a map.

"This is the most unique bird survey that I have ever participated in and it's a great way for the community to experience nature," said Naturalist Gabe Taylor.

After at least 15 minutes of watching, birders record the highest number of individual birds seen at the feeder at one time (to avoid counting any bird twice.) After the count, all results are reported to the main site, where they are combined with results from all over North America.

"It's like taking a snapshot of the continent and getting an immediate picture of where all of the birds are living," said Taylor.

For more information about the event, please contact the Naturalists at 828-733-4326. If you are not able to come to Grandfather Mountain on February 13th and you would still like to participate in the bird count, go to www.birdcount.org and follow the instructions for taking a count in your own backyard.

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