Heads Up: Mount Diablo Birders Join Global Count This Weekend

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Prepare for a weekend of tracking and protecting avian populations by taking part in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count beginning Friday.

The worldwide citizen-science project invites people of all ages and experience levels to spend time outdoors and record the birds they see between Feb. 13-16. Participants can submit observations using an app, contributing real-time data that researchers use to understand bird distribution and population trends better.

Mount Diablo offers one of the region’s best opportunities to take part, with more than 150 observable bird species documented on the mountain. Birders frequently spot a wide range of species in areas such as Mitchell Canyon, Donner Canyon, and Pine Canyon, including hummingbirds, bald eagles, yellow-billed magpies, and American kestrels.

Last year, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count, generating valuable data for conservation efforts. Organizers say even a short observation — from a backyard, park, or hiking trail — can make a meaningful difference.

To take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, organizers recommend three steps:

Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.

Step 2: Watch birds for at least 15 minutes, at least once during the four-day count.

Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your chosen time and location, then share your observations using the tool that works best for you.

Beginning birders or those new to identification can use the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify birds by sight or sound. More experienced participants, or those who want to record the number of birds observed, can use the eBird Mobile app or enter their bird list directly on the eBird website using a desktop or laptop computer.