I would expand on this that the GBBC is now linked with , ebird.org, (has been for several years), so anything you submit to eBird during regular eBird protocols for this weekend will go into the same database as those lists you submit directly to the GBBC site.
https://ebird.org/news/great-backyard-bird-count-2021

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA

-----Original Message-----
From: Tweeters <tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of THOMAS BENEDICT
Sent: Wednesday, February 2, 2022 3:51 PM
To: Debbie Mcleod <skepsou at icloud.com>; Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Yard birds

According to The Great Backyard Birdcount https://www.birdcount.org/tools/counting-instructions, you can define your backyard however you wish. Their only guideline is "Count birds anywhere you like for at LEAST 15 minutes-;or for as long as you wish".

Is that the answer you were looking for? Or were you hoping for a little bit tighter guidance along the lines of competitive birding? The ABA has a few rules for Big Day Counts https://www.aba.org/aba-big-day-count-rules/, but there isn't a geographic restriction.

I think the GBBC is looking for maximum engagement and participation rather than competition.

Others in the community may have better guidance.

Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA


> On 02/02/2022 2:58 PM Debbie Mcleod <skepsou at icloud.com> wrote:

> In October I moved to an apartment complex where bird feeding is verboten, so I am no longer able to participate in Project FeederWatch. But I am looking forward to the Great Backyard Bird Count!

>

> The complex is in a very birdy location, on the Sammamish River. I have a ground level patio with a grassy area and trees between me and the river/trail. I have been exploring my new patch, and compiling a new "neighbor bird" list, organized by degree of proximity.

>

> How do I define my backyard? Just the area I can see from my patio? All of the property of the apartment complex? What about the section of river and trail along the edge of the property? And It would be tempting to include the parks that are at either end of the property...

>

> After I draw my invisible boundary, do I count the birds I can see through it? Overhead? Flying by?

>

> I would love to hear how others "draw the line"!

>

> Debbie

>

> Sent from my iPhone

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