The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are across the globe. It was one of the first online citizen science projects and has been running for 25 years. Last year, about 385,000 people from 192 countries participated in the count and reported more than 7,000 species. The GBBC takes place over four days in February each year and participants are asked to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the count days.
The data collected during the GBBC helps scientists better understand bird populations and how they are affected by environmental changes. It also provides valuable information about migration patterns which can help inform conservation efforts. Additionally, it allows people to connect with nature and appreciate birds in their own backyards.
