The Great Backyard Bird Count - Participating in Houston, Texas

The Great Backyard Bird Count takes place in late February (for 2011 it is the 18^th through the 21^st), and is an annual event that is used to create a real time picture of where species of birds are across the country. Bird watchers from all over the country count birds for as much (or as little) time as they want across the four day event, and then submit their counts online to the Great Backyard Bird Count. The results help scientists learn about bird populations and habits, including declining populations, migration timing, and other important facts. Bird watchers of any age can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, and it's a fun way to contribute to this important topic. For more information on the Great Backyard Bird Count, see below.

What to do. Go the Great Backyard Bird Count website and print out your regional checklist. (You can search by your Houston, Texas zip code.) Then, count your birds for the next four days. Enter your results on the website, and you're done! The deadline for entering bird counts is March 1^st.

Where to go. Anywhere! Your backyard, your front yard, at a park, a birding sanctuary, wherever you like. Hermann Park, Sam Houston Park and White Oak Park are good places to start. Click here for more good Houston, Texas bird watching spots. If you count at different locations, be sure to enter a new checklist for every Houston, Texas location you go to count.

How to count. Count each bird you can identify for the Great Backyard Bird Count. If you see a large flock or roost, try to estimate the number of birds in the flock. If you are good at identifying birds by their sounds, you can count birds that you can hear but can't see. You can also count birds that fly over your Houston, Texas spot, as long as you can identify them.

How long to spend counting. It's best if you can spend at least fifteen minutes each day counting birds. If you like to spot them periodically over one day, estimate how long you spend actually counting (don't put down 9 hours). Remember to do a little counting on each day for the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Birds you may see. The species of birds you will see will depend on the spot you pick in Houston, Texas. Waterfowl include Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers and Ruddy Ducks. If you pick a more wooded spot in Houston, Texas, you may see Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, and Brown-headed Nuthatches. Right in your own Houston, Texas backyard you might see American Robins, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, or even a Blue Jay or two. So get out your field guides and start counting, Houston, Texas. All species of birds, whether spotted in Houston, Texas or anywhere else in the nation, will benefit from the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.birdsource.org