Due to hazardous road conditions, organizers canceled the Feb. 9 Edmonds Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) training. However, those interested in assisting with the Feb. 15-18 event can still do the training from the comfort of their home computer.
- Go online to the Great Backyard Bird Count at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/get-started/
- Scroll down to the GBBC Toolkit (left side of page)
- View the 2019 Slideshow
- View or download the instructions (PDF)
Then, anytime from Feb. 15-18, spend 15 or more minutes watching for birds in your yard or any other place.
-Record the date and start and stop times, your location, weather conditions.
-Record the number of each species that you see. (You can use the “Optional Data Form (PDF)
-Go back to the instructions and see how to type in your data and send it. You will get a reply back to your email confirming that they received it.
Do counts as many times as you want during the four-day period. Produce a separate data form (i.e. “check list”) for each time and place you observe birds.
Yes, many birds are hard to see, let alone identify. Don’t search for birds using binoculars. Instead, using your unaided eyes, watch your lawn, patio, shrubs and trees for movement and birds. Then, without moving your head, raise binoculars to the movement or bird. If it hasn’t flown away, you should get a good look at its size, shape, color and markings.
If you think you know what it might be, google its name and your will find numerous photos to compare it with.
We also recommend taking a photo (you’ll have to zoom), so you can have that to compare. Don’t worry if the photo is crummy or fuzzy, it’s for your use (not photo art).
Before or during the GBBC even, residents needing help can contact Alan Mearns at amearns@aol.com. If you leave your phone number, he will call you back to assist.
Organizers recommend putting out one or more bird feeders (including hummingbird feeders and suet feeders) within view of your home or apartment windows. They don’t have to be permanent installations. Also, you can scatter some bird seed on your patio, lawn or under shrubs.
Basic birds and identifications
Below is a list of common birds you should see this time of year in Edmonds vicinity. We recommend you refresh your identification skill by googling these species and looking at the online photos!
Anna’s hummingbird
On or near the ground:
Juncos (Darkeye junco)
Steller’s Jay
Spotted towhee
Song Sparrow
Northern flicker
House finch
House sparrow
Crow
European starling
Pigeons (aka rock dove)
In shrubs:
Chestnut-backed chickadee
Black-capped chickadee
Red-breasted nuthatch
Bushtits (usually in flocks of 10 or 20)
Bewick’s wren
Higher up (deciduous trees and conifers):
Crow
Band-tailed pigeon
On tree trunks:
Brown creeper
Nuthatch
Woodpeckers (Hairy, Downy, Flicker and, if lucky, Red-breasted sapsucker and Pileated!)
Overhead:
Bald eagle
Gulls
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