Great Backyard Bird Count 2024: How to participate on Long Island

Finally, there is something to look forward to mid-winter: the Great Backyard Bird Count, which takes place from Feb. 16-19 this year. A joint effort between the National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, this citizen science project is a global event that invites participants of all ages to get out into nature and record their bird observations.

For four days, bird watchers worldwide — beginners and experts alike — will track local bird sightings for at least 15 minutes per day and log their numbers onto a free app, either eBird or Merlin Bird ID. Don’t worry if you can’t tell the difference between a warbler and sparrow — these apps assist with bird identification through photos, sounds and lists of possible matches.

Peggy Lauber, board president of the North Fork Audubon Society, encourages individuals and families to get involved, stressing the importance of their findings. “There’s so much to be learned from the data,” she explained. “We get to see migration patterns, where birds go. It helps us understand what’s going on with bird populations.”

Last year, about 334,000 people from 253 countries counted 7,727 bird species. If you’re new to birding, you’ll probably be surprised at how many varieties of birds are here on the Island — almost 300 species have been documented. Spotting unusual feathered friends such as a kingfisher, great blue heron or Wood Duck can be a truly exhilarating experience.

Lisa Wollerstein, an avid bird watcher from Commack, has taken part in the bird count the past four years. She is excited for this year’s event.

“It’s like a treasure hunt,” she said. “Finding an unusual or rare bird is absolutely amazing.”

Wollerstein said she often counts birds in her own backyard, where she’s recorded about 119 species over the past few years. Highlights from the count last year include a Cooper’s hawk and hooded mergansers.

So where does one go to watch birds? “You can go bird watching anywhere,  ” Wollerstein insists. “Birds don’t know if it’s a park or patch of greenery behind a supermarket.” She said some of her favorite places for viewing include Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Heckscher, Sunken Meadow and Montauk Point state parks, or Shinnecock East County Park.

Lauber is hopeful the count will raise awareness and foster an appreciation for our living world. “This is not about a search for rare species,” she said. “It’s about coming together as a community, introducing people to our natural environment and aiding wildlife research at the same time.”

Although you can do the count on your own, you can also join a guided bird walk and learn about native and visiting birds from an expert. Here are some options, all of which require registration:

• Feb. 17: Hallock State Park Preserve, Riverhead, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., bit.ly/49d2a6r
• Feb. 17: Inlet Pond County Park, Greenport, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., bit.ly/3SgfhwO
• Feb. 18: Shore Road Sanctuary, Cold Spring Harbor, 3 p.m., bit.ly/3OmqFpJ

Visit birdcount.org for complete details about the Great Backyard Bird Count, including how to get started as well as answers to frequently asked questions.