February 14, 2026: The Great Backyard Bird Count

It’s February, and for birders all around the world, that means it’s time for the Great Backyard Bird Count!

What is the Great Backyard Bird Count? The GBBC is a global event that takes place over the course of four days in February (this year, February 13-16), where birders from around the world submit their observations into eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project. Launched by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society in 1998, the observations from this count help scientists better understand global bird populations before the annual spring migration.

This is my second year leading a group of birders through a GBBC count. Hikers learned the importance of listening mindfully to the songs and calls of birds in Kleinstuck Preserve. Since each species has their own unique repertoire of vocalizations, we were able to identify most species by sound, and some others by sight.

We experienced the “churrr” of the Red-bellied Woodpecker, the Black-capped Chickadee’s “springs coming”, and many rambunctious Blue Jays, among other songs and calls.

We paused in space, attuning our senses to the surrounding environment. That in itself is good medicine; anchoring into the present moment via the senses. This practice of being present, rather than tuning out, helps us build our capacity to face reality, rather than turn from it.

By the end of our hike, we documented 21 species, including a Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, a lone Sandhill Crane, and many other songbirds. Our total count of individuals was 78.

Participants went home with the tools necessary to perform their very own count at home, and submit their data to eBird, contributing to the global effort of bird study and conservation.

You can view our full checklist from our morning hike here.

Taking pause to listen.

Seth + Bob enjoying the hike.

Red-tailed Hawk perched at the edge of the swamp.