GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT IN ITS 10TH YEAR

By STEPHEN HAMMILL

Bird lovers will have another chance to contribute to a greater understanding of the feathered population with the 10th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, which gets under way Feb. 16 and runs through Feb. 19.

The study, co-sponsored by Cornell University and the national Audubon Society, aims to help better define bird ranges, populations, migration pathways and habitat needs.

Individuals, families and schools are invited to count birds at feeders and in backyards and at local parks. The tallies are reported online though the BirdSource Web site at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

In the past, more than 60,000 people have contributed to the study, with more expected this year.

“It’s a great way for people to contribute to our larger knowledge about birds,” said Greg Williams, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop, 13140 N. Dale Mabry Highway.

The Wild Birds franchise has more than 300 shops throughout the U.S. and Canada. Williams’ Carrollwood store was one of the first, started 10 years ago.
Williams has been involved with the Great Backyard Bird Count since its inception, and his store is one of its sponsors. Visitors to to the Wild Birds shop can sign up to participate and have their questions about the bird count answered.

“Florida is usually in the top three in the variety of species and the number of birds reported,” he said.

According to Williams, the benefits of the program go beyond the statistical databases that are built. The volunteers usually see birds that they’ve never seen before, all because they are more open to what’s around them.

For more information, contact Wild Birds Unlimited at 961-2772 or on the Web at http://www.wbu.com.