Counting Crows - and other birds - anyone can do it

Tom Downer saw this bird in his backyard

Backyard birdwatchers can help researchers create a real-time snapshot of how birds are surviving the winter by participating in the 14th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) February 18-21.

The GBBC is always conducted in February to see where birds are just before spring migrations begin in March. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each of the four days. It doesn't matter whether you report five species coming to your backyard feeder or 75 species you see during a day's outing to a wildlife refuge.

Tally the highest number of each species seen together at any one time, then report them through an internet online checklist.

As the count progresses, you can explore what's being reported from your own town or anywhere in the United States and Canada. You can also see how this year's numbers compare with those from previous years.

The GBBC is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.