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 13-16^th 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.

These guided hikes are FREE and open to all experience levels. There is no registration required. 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 standoff! 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 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 on the eBird app

At the end of the GBBC, we will collect the checklists from eBird 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:

All GBBC hikes at The Parklands are FREE and no registration is required. 

Friday, February 13

• 8:30a – 12:00p: Miles Lake Area, Beckley Creek Park – Meet at The North Beckley Paddling Access (Lead by The Parklands Staff)

• 1:00p – 3:00p: Seaton Valley to Sky Meadows, Turkey Run Park – Meet at The Seaton Valley Trailhead Parking Lot (Lead by Beckham Bird Club)

Saturday, February 14

• 8:30a – 12p: Humana Grand Allee, Beckley Creek Park – Meet at the Humana Grand Allee Soccer Fields Parking Lot (Lead by Beckham Bird Club)

Sunday, February 15

• 8:30a – 12p: Pope Lick Park – Meet at The John Floyd Community Building (Lead by Beckham Bird Club)

Monday, February 16

• 1:30p – 3:30p: Creekside Area, Beckley Creek Park – Meet at The PNC Achievement Center (Lead by The Parklands Staff)

 

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Can’t make it to one of our hikes? Our friends at Louisville Nature Center are also offering two of their own hikes on Saturday, February 14th (10am and 1pm) for only $15! Learn more and register on their website: https://www.louisvillenaturecenter.org/camps-and-events/great-backyard-bird-count-hike-219-220

Jefferson Memorial Forest will also be holding two public bird counts, please see the information below if interested!

Saturday, February, 14th (3:30-4:30pm) at Horine Reservation (Jefferson Memorial Forest)

Join us as we participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizen science project by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society. Participants will improve their skills in birding and bird identification, and together we will collect data on the birds in a variety of habitats around the forest. Binoculars and field guides are provided. For an introduction or refresher to winter bird id, sign up for the Frosty Feathers program right before this event!

Pre-Registration required. Register online or by calling 502-368-5404. Free!

 

Sunday, February, 15th (8:30-12pm) at Tom Wallace (Jefferson Memorial Forest)

Free/No registration needed

Join us as we participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizen science project by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society. Hike with Beckham Bird Club’s expert birders to count the birds near the Welcome Center and Tom Wallace Recreation Area. Bring your own binoculars.

For more information, visit http://www.beckhambirdclub.org/field-trips-and-meetings.html