FRIENDS OF THE LAKE
Have Fun Getting to
Take Part in the Great Backyard Bird Count
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fun way to enjoy winter. People of all ages are invited to take part, whether you are an experienced birdwatcher or a novice. This event engages citizen scientists of all stripes in collecting a snapshot of bird populations.
You can count birds for as little as 15 minutes or all day for all four days. To learn more about getting started, visit birdcount. org. The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place Friday, February 17— Monday, February 20, 2017.
Why count birds?
Bird populations move around a lot. Scientists cannot possibly be everywhere they need to be to collect enough data to understand the complex movements of so many species.
Scientists use information from the Backyard Bird Count and other citizen science projects to help form a bigger picture of bird populations. As time goes on and more and more data is collected, the more beneficial they become in helping scientists answer research questions. Areas of inquiry might include:
• How weather and climate change influence bird populations.
• How this year’ s migration compares to previous years.
• How bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affect birds in different regions.
• Which species of birds occur in which regions.
We are very lucky that so many species of birds call Lake Linganore home, whether it’ s for part or the year, or year-round. If you decide to take part in the Backyard Bird Count, you will undoubtedly see a vast variety of bird species. The bird count is an opportunity to get to know some of your feathered neighbors.
Birds in Winter
In our part of the country, with the short days and long, cold nights, winter can be a difficult time for birds. The natural food supply starts to dwindle, insects are dormant or dead, and water can be scarce. Without leaves on the trees, shelter can be hard to find.
How to Lend a Helping Hand You can help neighborhood birds during the winter by providing food, water, and shelter.
PROVIDING FOOD
Planting certain native trees and shrubs will provide berries and seeds during the winter. Examples include crabapple, flowering dogwood, American holly, staghorn sumac, sweetbay magnolia, American beech, hackberry, persimmon, tulip tree, and tupelo.
12 LakeTalk February 2017