WRV Area Birders Help Tally
Species in National Project

In just four days in February, participants in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) tallied more than 11 million birds across the United States and Canada.

Together, they recorded 616 species and submitted more than 80,000 checklists–33% more than the previous high of 61,000 checklists in 2000.

The GBBC, a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, engages people of all ages and levels of experience in learning about birds and reporting their sightings for conservation.

"There has never been a more detailed snapshot of continental bird distribution in history," said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab. "It used to take scientists years to gather large-scale information about bird population and distribution–and the GBBC does it in just four days each year."

Along with collecting valuable data, the count also gathers new and vital support for the environment.

"It turns kids, parents and grandparents into more than citizen scientists; it helps make them citizen stewards for the health of our planet., said Audubon president John Flicker.

American robins topped the list as the most numerous species counted, with more than two million robins reported from 60 states and provinces. Participant Lorraine Margeson counted a flock of 750,000 robins roosting in a mangrove forest in St. Petersburg, Fla.

"In the morning, the robins just pour out of there," she observed. "It’s spectacular with the sunrise on their red bellies. When you see it, you think this is what makes life worth living."

Participants also submitted more than 4000 bird photos. The GBBC online photo gallery shows images from across the continent.

Full results of the count are available online at www.birdcount.org. Visitors can see what birds were reported in their own town.

For instance, in Randolph Center, four observers identified 193 birds of 13 different species during the four days. The largest number were mourning doves (36), blue jays (34), and juncos (34).

In the White River Valley, Bethel and Rochester observers found the most species, 15 each, while other checklists were compiled in South Royalton, Brookfield, Randolph Center, and Hancock.

Vermont observers alone counted 79 species, including 5646 goldfinches.