By Liza Barney, Education Program Coordinator, Birds Canada
From your backyard or balcony, garden or window, what birds can you find?
Each May, students across Canada explore their schoolyard for birds, contributing bird survey data to Birds Canada’s Schoolyard Bird Blitz program. Students get outside and learn about local birds, and report their sightings to Birds Canada. Last season, an impressive 186 species were observed from schools across the country. The top five most-reported species in schoolyards were: American Robin, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Common Grackle, and House Sparrow.
While surveying the schoolyard is on pause for this year, students can birdwatch with their families and participate in a Bird Blitz…at home! Wherever you live, Birds Canada invites you to explore the diversity of birds near you, from your window, balcony, or porch; or in your garden, yard or neighborhood. While the results help scientists study bird populations, participating in this memorable activity could also spark a new appreciation for nature and lifelong joy in birdwatching!
Bird Blitz at Home is fun for all ages, and participating is easy. Here’s how you can do it:
- Download a bird identification guide for your area and tally form.
- Choose any day in May to participate.
- Go birdwatching.
- Identify, count, and record birds.
- Submit your observations.
Your participation and submission qualifies you for a chance to win a Bird-friendly Yard prize pack from our generous program supporters, Pinebush Home and Garden, and West Coast Seeds!
Learn more, follow along, and share your Bird Blitz adventures!
Visit: birdscanada.org/birdblitz
Twitter: @BirdsCanada_Ed and #HomeBirdBlitz
Facebook: @BirdsCanadaEducation
Instagram: @Birds.Canada
Bird Blitz at Home and Schoolyard Bird Blitz are Bird-friendly Schools programs of Birds Canada, supported by Pinebush Home and Garden, West Coast Seeds, and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
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