BACKYARD BIRD COUNT: The Backyard Bird Count is on the 
way�and so are details� on Passport to Texas.

This is Passport to Texas

You want to take part in a citizen science project, but you 
can�t get away to spend time in the field. What do you do?

05�Count the birds that are coming to your feeder and in your 
backyard all day long.

That may sound random. Yet, Cliff Shackelford, TPW non-
game ornithologist, says the Great Backyard Bird Count, 
organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is far from 
random. They combine data submitted by citizens with 
other surveys, which helps scientists understand how 
environmental changes affect bird species. 

15� And what�s really neat is after thousands of people do it, 
and in the country tens of thousands people, you see: Wow, 
look at where black capped chickadees are versus Carolina 
chickadees. And you can see where the invasion of � say � red 
breasted nuthatches are that winter.

The event is February 15 through 18; it�s easy to 
participate. Just choose a day and register your location 
on birdcount.org or eBird.org. 

05�So, you just count the birds and submit online. It�s really 
easy and doesn�t cost anything.

Count for at LEAST fifteen minutes and keep track of the 
species you see and how long you watched.

10�And, you might have chores throughout the day, but you�re 
constantly walking by the window. Just look and see what�s out 
there, and it doesn�t necessarily have to be at your bird feeder; 
it� can be at your birdbath; it can be in the trees in the 
backyard. 

We�ll have tips on making birds count�tomorrow.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife�I�m Cecilia Nasti. 


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