Teach Your Kids about Nature this Weekend with the Great Backyard Bird Count

Listen up parents, grandparents, and big sisters and brothers—here’s a fun chance to teach kids about nature (and maybe even learn something new yourselves). It’s the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) this weekend!

From February 17 to 20, the GBBC is being celebrated across North America for the 15^th year in a row, as a chance for birdwatchers young and old to document how many birds they can find and list in their backyards. Experts and beginners alike are encouraged to take part.

It’s a fun opportunity to get to know the nature around us a bit better, and you can even enter your bird list online on the GBBC’s website.

Research shows that being in nature is uplifting and has health benefits for the body and the spirit. Plus, letting kids explore and play outdoors may also have health benefits. So what if it’s only your backyard or local park?

According to the GBBC, depending on where you live, the top 10 backyard birds reported on the most checklists are:

1. Cardinal
2. Dove
3. Dark-eyed Junco
4. Woodpecker
5. Goldfinch
6. Blue Jay
7. Crow
8. Chickadee
9. House finch
10. Tufted Titmouse

Other birds reported in high numbers include the robin, starling, and Canada goose. See if you can spot any this weekend!