DiscoverNEPA is partnering with Pennsylvania Environmental Council, a nonprofit that protects and restores the natural and built environments to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. Keep an eye on this series for updates on PEC projects, volunteer opportunities, Tail on the Trail activities and so much more.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Ever wonder what birds drop-in your backyard? Or what feathered friend is serenading you? Now’s the chance to make your frequent flyers count! The Great Backyard Bird Count welcomes everyone – no experience necessary – to join in bird watching and amateur data collection.
It all started back in 1998 when the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society teamed up to create one of the first large-scale online citizen science projects. But what is citizen science, exactly? It’s a way for everyday people to contribute to real scientific research. By keeping track of birds, you see and hear, you’re helping scientists study migration patterns, monitor populations of vulnerable species, and understand how environmental changes affect our avian neighbors. Your observations, no matter how small, help paint a bigger picture of what’s happening in the natural world.
Aside from helping science, birding is a great excuse to get outside, especially in the middle of winter when it’s easy to feel cooped up
You never know what you might find, and if you participate year after year, you might even notice how the birds in your area change over time. And if you have a backyard bird feeder, you’re not just helping the birds—you’re helping yourself, too! Many common backyard species, like chickadees and woodpeckers, eat insects and pests, keeping your yard’s ecosystem in balance.
By taking part in the count, you’re also connecting with scientists and conservationists who work hard to protect these species. One of the best success stories? The Bald Eagle. Once on the endangered species list, these birds of prey have made an incredible comeback thanks to community conservation efforts. If you’re lucky, you might even spot one flying over the Susquehanna River!
The best part is that you don’t need any special equipment to participate
Just spend at least 15 minutes watching birds wherever you are—your backyard, a local park, or even from your office window. Count how many birds you see, take note of the different species, and submit your findings online. If you’re unsure about identification, there are free apps to help: Merlin Bird ID can tell you what bird you’re looking at (or even hearing), and eBird lets you log your sightings and explore what others have seen in your area.
The official count runs February 14th–17th, but if you forget to submit your data, don’t stress—you have until March 1st to enter your observations.
No matter how you participate, every observation counts. So, grab your binoculars (or just step outside), take a deep breath of fresh air, and see what birds are hanging out in your corner of the world. Happy birding!
