How often do you take time out of your day to look around and enjoy Nature? I have two bird feeders in the backyard, right outside the kitchen windows. On a daily basis I take time (sometimes just a couple minutes) to watch the birds that enjoy the seeds. From cardinals to woodpeckers to sparrows, they all come calling for food. Some come in groups, and some come alone. Even squirrels and chipmunks show up to feast.

On days when the feeders are empty, the yard is quiet. And when the local red- tailed hawk is on the prowl, the yard is still and quiet.

Every February I participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society team up to collect data on wild birds. They then display the results on their website. Participation is easy and is done from your own home. You simply count and note the types of birds that visit your yard. You fill out a form on the computer and in one click, they have your data.

This year the dates are February 13-16. You don’t have to be available to count birds for all those days! Just a few minutes of time will do! If you’re interested, visit the website for more information – gbbc.birdcount.org – and enjoy the birds!