Are you ready? The 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is coming up February 17-20, 2012.

Anyone can participate in this 4-day event. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun and easy—and it helps the birds too. I look forward to participating a few hours every year.

Make sure your local birds are represented in the count—they won’t count unless YOU do! Everything you need to know to participate is on the website at www.birdcount.org, including downloadable instructions, FAQs, and a how-to video. Get a regional list of the birds you might see in your area this time of year so you can brush up on your identification skills ahead of time.

Feel free to share your 2012 GBBC experience, results, etc. in the comments below. I would love to hear how you did. Good luck!