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    The Great Backyard Bird Count

    Join The Parklands as we participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count! The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. It is an annual, four-day, citizen science event where people contribute to a worldwide bird database by recording bird observations and submitting them online.

    You can take part in the GBBC on your own anytime between February 13-16th or join fellow birders with scheduled bird walks. Dates, times, meeting locations, and hike leaders are all indicated in the schedule below. On each walk, experienced leaders will log sightings on ebird and share the list with participants at the end.

    This event is free and open to all experience levels. There is no registration required for these walks. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars; some binoculars may be available for loan during the walk. Please dress warmly and avoid wearing white or bright colors.

    The Golden Binoculars

    In the name of citizen science, The Parklands of Floyds Fork, The Louisville Nature Center, and Jefferson Memorial Forest have challenged each other to a Great Backyard Bird Count Duel! This friendly competition will determine who can count the most bird species inside their designated areas during the days of the count. The winners will bring home the coveted pair of golden binoculars to display at their centers for the year.

    You can help your favorite outdoor retreat bring home the golden binoculars in two ways! First, you must pick your team! Then:

    • Attend an event hosted by your team – birding hikes will be taking place at all locations during GBBC. Hike participants will be shown how to make an e-bird checklist to turn into the GBBC.
    • If you are unable to attend scheduled events, you can still participate by birding at any participating location on your own within the competition dates and submitting a checklist to e-bird

    At the end of the GBBC, we will collect the checklists from e-bird and add up the total number of species found within each area. The area with the most species wins the golden binoculars! Help out your favorite outdoor spaces and support a great citizen science project at the same time!

    Schedule of Hikes:

    Friday, February 13

    Saturday, February 14

    Sunday, February 15

    Monday, February 16