GBBC eNewsletter

February 27, 2012

Eastern Screech-Owls by Mary Sanford, New Hampshire, 2012 GBBC

On A Record-Setting Pace

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2012 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)! Data are coming in at a record-breaking pace. As of Monday, February 27, participants have submitted 95,480 checklists reporting 611 species and 16,453,862 individual bird observations. Will we set a new record for the most checklists? If you tallied the birds but haven't sent in your checklist, please do so by March 5!

To see the latest standings for species and locations with the highest totals, check the Top 10 Lists at any time. Preliminary results show that more records of Snowy Owls were reported in the GBBC this year than in past counts (628 reports of Snowy Owls in 29 states and provinces so far compared with the next highest year, 237 Snowy Owls in 22 states and provinces in 2009). Scientists from Audubon, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Bird Studies Canada will take a look at the data on Snowy Owls and other birds after we've received all the counts. We'll share the highlights with you in a few weeks.

In the meantime, we invite you to explore the GBBC website, where you can choose maps, look at state and province tallies, or search for results about a particular bird species or town. While you're there, check out a sampling of fantastic photos from across the continent and Hawaii, showcased in this year's photo gallery.

Data Entry Deadline is March 5

Just a reminder that you have until Monday, March 5, to submit your tallies from any day of the count during February 17-20. After March 5, data entry will be closed. To get started, look for the button that says, “Submit Your Checklists!” on the GBBC home page.

TIP: If you don't see a species you're looking for, click on the "rarities" button. The button is on the right side of the bird list page, next to the button that allows you to list species alphabetically. If the species you're looking for is still not listed, you can note it in the comments section for future reference, though it will not go into the database.

CORRECTIONS: If you realize you made a mistake, we can delete your entire checklist and you can enter a new, corrected list. Just look for the link to make corrections beneath the "submit your checklists" button on the GBBC home page. Thank you!

Left: 91-year-old recumbant biker birder, by Pamela Graber, Florida; Right: Red-headed Woodpecker by Harold Weber, Mississippi, 2012 GBBC

GBBC Participant Comments

"My two grandchildren, ages 7 and 12, did the GBBC with me today...We enjoyed the process very much and look forward to doing it again."

"I love doing the GBBC! It brings a bright spot to those winter days. Despite being 8 months pregnant and working full-time, I have done 6 counts!"

"Hello from Halifax! We had a lovely time participating in the GBBC this year."

"The kids were excited to receive their certificates for participating. One already has it in a frame on his wall!"