THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT – 2025

Posted on by

For the 10th year, the Friends of the Fossil Beds, will host the Great Backyard Bird Count at the Florissant Fossil Beds NM in Florissant, CO on Saturday, February 15th from 9AM to 1 PM. This is an annual world-wide citizen scientist event sponsored by both the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is a 4 day event held on a weekend from a Friday through Monday in the middle of February. In 2025, this event will be held world-wide from Friday, February 14th through Monday, February 1817.

 Birdwatchers around the world are invited to count and report details of birds in the area in which they live. Data collected is submitted to eBird, an online web interface, and compiled for use in scientific research. Data resulting from the event has raised awareness about changes in the population and habitats of common birds. We can see the effects of weather and other events on bird populations all over the world. We can tell if a species is affected by climate change, diseases or lack of food.

Last year’s event, the 28th Annual Count yielded this data:

      7,538 bird species were counted

      202 participating countries

      390,652 bird lists were submitted

      555,291 people participated from all over the world

This event is always fun-filled and educational. There will be a tent in front of the Visitor Center to check in. We will run bird hikes to do the count from 9 AM to 1 PM. Mr. Joe LaFleur who helped us last year, will be with us again as will a couple of other volunteers who will lead the hikes.

In addition to the bird counts, we will offer activities for families and the general public including scavenger hunts, making bird feeders, active games and crafts that all focus on learning about birds.

Please join us on 2/15/25 to help with this important bird count. We always hope for good weather. Over the years we have had very cold weather, high winds and even some beautiful warm days. The count always goes on regardless of the weather unless we have a huge snowstorm. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Don’t forget snacks and water. This event is open to the general public. Please pass this info on to friends and family. Thank you. See you in February.