November 27 Ithaca, NY — It is well known that many bird species are showing population declines due to habitat loss or other human impacts. Now, people of all ages and backgrounds can help monitor bird populations-including several species that are declining in numbers-by participating in the 4th annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 16-19, 2001.

A project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with funding provided in part by Wild Birds Unlimited and Ford Motor Company, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) combines high-tech web tools with "citizen-science" observations of birds. The GBBC asks families, individuals, classrooms, and community groups to count the numbers and kinds of birds that visit their feeders, local parks, schoolyards, and other areas during any or all of the four count days. Participants enter their observations at BirdSource www.birdsource.org, a user-friendly, state-of-the-art web site developed by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Begun in 1998, the GBBC has engaged more than 100,000 people of all ages and skill levels in the effort to keep common birds common. "We're asking everyone, everywhere in North America to take a few minutes to tell us what birds they see on any or all of the count days," says John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "By tracking changes in bird distribution and abundance over time, such a vast database can serve as the SOS signal for species that may be in trouble."

This is especially important for species that are already showing population declines. GBBC 2001 will put the spotlight on quail, a family of birds familiar to many outdoor enthusiasts and a frequent backyard visitor in much of the U.S. and parts of Canada. "Although most people recognize quail when they see them, few people are aware that some species, including Northern Bobwhite in the East and Scaled Quail in the Southwest, are experiencing severe population declines," says Frank Gill, National Audubon's senior vice president for science. "Because quail are relatively easy to identify, even the casual observer can play an important role in helping them by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count."

-2- Quail are flagship representatives of brushland/shrub habitat. Loss of this habitat and the results of some land management practices are the primary reasons for declines in quail numbers. In suburban areas, predation of these ground-dwelling birds by cats is also a serious concern. Visitors to the GBBC web site can learn more about all six species of North American quail.

The Cornell Lab and Audubon are also asking participants to pay special attention to several species of woodpeckers, including the Red-headed Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker, which are showing signs of serious population decreases. The web site will include several features relating to these species in need of special attention.

Also new this year will be the GBBC's debut in several Latin American locations, allowing the benefits of the count to reach into a new region and affording a fascinating glimpse of tropical backyards and the birds found in them. This experiment is a step toward one of BirdSource's ultimate goals: a hemisphere-wide monitoring of bird populations and the educational opportunities such projects present.

Because the GBBC charts findings in real time, scientists have already noticed some interesting connections between weather patterns and bird movements. For example, for the last few years, American Robins appeared farther north than usual, in areas where snow cover was scant or nonexistent. Such a correlation may be caused by global warming or other broad-scale weather changes. This year's GBBC will again collect information about snow depth.

The GBBC has also been instrumental in tracking movements of winter finches which typically remain year-round in Canada and the northernmost areas of the contiguous United States but that move farther south some winters during irruptions. The count showed "southerly" concentrations of Common Redpolls in the Northeast and across the Great Lakes and northern Rockies. "It's thought that some of these species, including Common Redpolls, irrupt biennially, as a result of a lack of food seeds on what is typically their year-round ranges," says Cornell Lab director Fitzpatrick. "But much of this phenomenon remains a mystery that participants in the Great Backyard Bird Count can help us solve."

To take part in this year's Great Backyard Bird Count, just count the highest number of each bird species seen at one time (to ensure the birds are not counted more than once) and keep track of the -3- amount of time spent counting. Then log on to the BirdSource web site at www.birdsource.org and click on the appropriate state or province for a checklist of the most frequently reported birds in that region.

Results are updated hourly in the form of animated maps and colorful graphs for all to view, thanks to the online nature of the count. Participants will be able to see almost immediately how their observations fit into the continentwide perspective. Findings from previous years are also available at the site.

In addition to results, the GBBC web site includes other interesting and useful information to make participation easy and enjoyable. The site has a vocabulary section, bird-watching and bird-feeding tips, bird vocalizations, and more, including information about House Finch eye disease. Educators will find the bibliography and geography sections especially handy and will be encouraged to conduct the count with groups of kids. Tips for planning and preparing a spring bird garden will also be included.

"The Great Backyard Bird Count is a terrific way for individuals, families, schools and community groups to contribute to a better understanding of birds," says National Audubon's Gill. "In return, they learn more about birds in the process. I can't think of a better way to spend a little time on a late-winter day."

Instructions for participating can be viewed by going to www.birdsource.org and clicking on "Great Backyard Bird Count." There's no fee or registration. People who would like to participate but don't have access to the Internet can try their local library. Many Wild Birds Unlimited locations also accept reports. Libraries, businesses, nature clubs, Scout troops and other community organizations interested in promoting the GBBC or otherwise getting more involved can contact the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at at 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850; or call 800/ 843-2473 (outside the U.S. call 607/254-2473).

"The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership institution interpreting and conserving the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds."