Bird watchers needed for The Great Backyard Bird Count

The annual Great Backyard Bird Count attracts more than one million people nationwide to help record the bird population.

A brown striped owl perched on a tree with leaves in the background.

Spotting owls is a real hoot at Latta Nature Preserve.

Photo via Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

Charge your phones and grab your binoculars, Charlotte. The annual Great Backyard Bird Count takes flight on Friday, Feb. 13, and runs through Monday, Feb. 16. The community event invites nature lovers and bird enthusiasts from around the world to go outside, watch, count, and celebrate birds.

Anyone can participate — all you have to do is go outside and observe for as little as 15 minutes. Count all of the birds you see or hear using one of the following tools:

The information will help experts study bird habitats, migration patterns, and global bird populations.

Don’t know where to start? Check out this list of common birds in our area + start in your backyard or any of these parks around the Queen City. Bonus: Once you submit the photo for the count, consider sending it our way.

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