The Great Backyard Bird Count, a joint project between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society, is a nationwide citizen science* project happening Feburary 15-18, 2008. Participants simply count the number and kinds of birds they see for as little as 15 minutes during the Bird Count and submit an online checklist. Scientists compile the data to gain information on bird populations in winter. All ages and birding skill levels are welcome to participate in this project. Information can be found at: The Great Backyard Bird Count
*Citizen science projects are those that involve non-scientists to collect scientific data on such varied topics as water quality, variable star observations, and biodiversity. Scientists then analyze the data, allowing them to make discoveries that would be impossible to observe with only a small team of scientists.
