Annual count is for the birds

Here’s an idea.

Spend a few days counting the number and species of birds that visit your back yard.

Then spend the coming months enhancing the yard as wildlife habitat, and next year, about this same time, count the birds again.

If that appeals to you, sign up for an all-day workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m Feb. 12 at the Edmonds Wildlife Habitat and Native Plant Demonstration Garden, 95 Pine St.

Up to noon, the emphasis is on native plantscaping and wildlife habitat garden design, stategies to attract the birds, and providing nesting areas, cover from predators and food sources.

From 1 to 3 p.m., NOAA scientist Alan Mearns will show participants how to monitor and collect data for the Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 18 to 21), an annual four-day international event that welcomes beginning bird-watchers as well as experts.

A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada, the event involves as much time per day as you wish: as little as 15 minutes or all day if you like.

Data will provide scientists with valuable information on the effects of snow and cold on populations, migration timing and diversities of species between cities, suburbs, rural and natural areas.

Space is limited and lunch is not provided. Register with Susie Schaefer at 425-478-9383 or e-mail susie.schaefer@comcast.net.

For more information on the Great Backyard Bird Count, go to www.birdsource.org/gbbc.

Herald staff