The Great Backyard Bird Count of 2006

The ninth Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) took place 17-20 February 2006 across much of North America (Fig. 1). The count was sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited and managed by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

Bird observations provide a highly constructive way for citizen scientists who want to make a solid contribution to the world's scientific data base. The professional ornithological community places great value on bird observations reported by citizen scientists. Dr. John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, stated about the GBBC, "This project has become a major source of scientific information about North American bird populations. It is a classic example of the vital role citizens and the Internet now play in understanding our planet."

The 2005 GBBC resulted in an astonishing 613 species. More than 6 million birds were reported in more than 52,000 checklists.

As reported in a GBBC news release, "These millions of sightings generate what would be impossible otherwise-continent-wide information about where the birds are and how their numbers compare with those of previous years. Anyone with Internet access can see the results in maps and charts as the sightings pour in."

You can learn more about how to participate in the GBBC here.

Many participants in the GBBC submit photographs of birds they observe (Fig. 2). You can see a photo gallery of birds photographed during the 2005 and 2006 GBBC here.

Forrest M. Mims III