A Backyard Bird Count Success
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a three-day, global citizen science project sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society. The goal of the GBBC is to study bird populations around the world while connecting communities through bird watching.
The count took place in Beckley Creek Park from February 17-19, 2023, and for the second straight year, The Parklands squared off against the Louisville Nature Center in a friendly competition to see who could spot the most bird species at their park! On the line – the coveted Golden Binoculars!
The count was compiled by Parklands Interpretive Rangers with support from Parklands volunteers and the public using the Cornell eBird app. Parklands rangers led three separate birding hikes on February 17, 18, and 19. We marched the Black Willow Trail, Valley of the Giants Trail, and Coppiced Woods Trail in search of as many birds as possible. We used our eyes and ears identifying 45 species over the three-day count. Highlights included the American Woodcock, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, and this woodpecker clearing spring roosting spot!
Last year Louisville Nature Center clipped The Parklands by one species but this year The Parklands took home a convincing win with LNC spotting 31 species to The Parklands’ 45.
Thanks to the Louisville Nature Center and all of our Parklands birders for making the Great Backyard Bird Count a SUCCESS! We made great connections with members of the public and gained great insight from seasoned bird watchers in the birding community. We also contributed valuable data to citizen science that will be used to study bird populations in Kentucky and around the world.
Want to get more into Birding? Download the eBird app to see a full list of birding hotspots in The Parklands and get started on your own. You can also check out The Parklands events page for upcoming programs or visit The Beckham Bird Club for more birding trips. Until then, check out the Humana Grand Allee area in Beckley Creek Park or Seaton Valley in Turkey Run Park for a great mix of habitat and species diversity. Good Birding!
