Count Shows 37 Bird Types in Reston

Reston residents counted 253 birds from 37 species as part of the 2013 Great Backyard Bird Count.

The Walker Nature Education Center has participated in the national GBBC since 2010. It is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are, says Abby Stocking, environmental education specialist at Walker Nature Center.

The GBBC is led by the Cornell Lab of Orinithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.

The count took place Feb. 15 through 18. For the first time since the count was started, bird watchers from anywhere in the world with Internet access could submit their observations, Stocking said. Results were received from 103 countries all over the globe recording more than 25.5 million birds from over 3,100 species.

In Reston, the nature center teamed up with the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia to show people how they could get involved. Volunteers helped participants identify birds at the nature center feeders, as well as along the trails.

The 30 participants also learned how to submit their observations into the GBBC’s online database.

Spotted in Reston were Northern Cardinals, Eastern Bluebirds, a Brown Creeper, Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Bufflehead, and a Horned Grebe, said Stocking.

The nature center plans to participate again next year, but there is still time to get involved now. Nature House staff and volunteers will sontinue counting birds for a related survey through April 6.

Stop by on a Wednesday or Thursday to get involved with Project Feeder Watch.