February is fast approaching, and with it comes one of my favorite annual traditions: the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2025! It’s a simple idea with a profound impact—bird enthusiasts from all corners of the world take a little time to watch, count, and share their bird sightings. Personally, I find GBBC to be a perfect blend of relaxation and purpose. It’s a moment to step away from the rush of daily life, tune into the natural world, and contribute to something much larger than myself.
What I love most about GBBC is how it makes birdwatching accessible and meaningful for everyone. I can sit by my kitchen window tracking juncos darting through the snow or join friends for a morning walk in the park, every bird counted becomes part of a massive global effort to protect wildlife. It’s amazing to think that this small act of observation helps scientists learn more about bird populations and the challenges they face.
If you’ve ever found yourself curious about the birds in your backyard or wondering about the magic of birdwatching, GBBC is the perfect chance to start. It’s not just for expert birders—it’s for anyone who wants to connect with nature, even for a few minutes. What I appreciate most is how inclusive it is; no fancy equipment or prior knowledge is required. Just grab a pair of binoculars (or even just your eyes) and let your curiosity lead the way.
I can’t wait for GBBC 2025, and I’m excited to share how you can get involved. Whether you’re planning a solo birding session or inviting friends and family to join you, this event is all about discovering the wonder of birds and coming together to make a difference. Let’s dive in and explore what’s in store!
Join the GBBC Live Event
Mark your calendars for February 6th and February 12th and join us for a live webinar designed to elevate your GBBC experience! Whether you’re a first-time participant or a seasoned birder, this session is packed with insights to help you get the most out of the event. Experts from Audubon, Birds Canada, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will be sharing their wealth of knowledge, offering tips and tricks that will enhance your birdwatching skills and help you contribute valuable data to global research.

But that’s not all—get ready to be inspired by two passionate California educators who specialize in engaging young people with the wonders of birding. These educators will share creative and fun ways to get kids and young adults excited about birdwatching, turning the weekend into an interactive and educational experience for the entire family. Whether it’s learning how to identify species, understanding migration patterns, or simply spending quality time outdoors, you’ll discover new strategies to bring birding to life for all ages.
This is your chance to not only learn from the experts but to also gain new ideas for sharing your love of birds with others. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make GBBC 2025 a truly enriching experience for you and your loved ones. We can’t wait to see you there!
Choose from two convenient time slots:
- Thursday, February 6th at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, February 12th at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Don’t miss out! Register now for the GBBC Live Event to secure your spot.
How to Participate in Great Backyard Bird Count 2025?
Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.
Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.
Choosing the perfect birding spot for the Great Backyard Bird Count is part of the adventure! Think about the places in your life where birds always seem to make an appearance. It could be your cozy backyard, alive with the flutter of sparrows and cardinals. Perhaps it’s a nearby park where ducks paddle serenely on the pond or woodpeckers drum on tree trunks. Even an open field, where hawks circle high overhead, can be transformed into your personal birding haven.
I find that my choice of location often depends on what kind of birding experience I’m craving. If I want a calm, reflective moment, I stay close to home, watching birds at my feeder. But for a dash of adventure, I head to my local nature preserve, where I never know what species might cross my path. There’s something magical about picking a spot and letting the birds come to you—it reminds me how diverse and surprising nature can be.
As you decide, consider a spot where you’ll feel comfortable and have a clear view of the sky, trees, or other natural features. Even urban spaces like rooftops or community gardens can reveal an astonishing variety of birds if you take the time to look. Remember, GBBC is about enjoying the process, not finding rare species. Your chosen spot doesn’t need to be miles away from you. It just needs to be a place where you can soak in the moment and marvel at the avian world around you.
Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more.
Set aside at least 15 minutes to observe the birds around you during the four-day event, February 14–17, 2025. A quarter of an hour may feel brief, but it’s enough to start noticing details you might usually overlook—the way a robin hops along the ground or how a sparrow fluffs its feathers against the cold.
Take this time to truly watch what’s happening in your chosen spot. Observe how the birds interact with their surroundings, listen to their calls, and note the variety of species present. You might find it’s hard to stop at just 15 minutes! Personally, I often lose track of time as I follow a woodpecker’s rhythm or try to track the darting flight of a goldfinch.
Whether you’re standing at a window, sitting quietly in a park, or strolling along a trail, this is your chance to engage in an activity that’s as calming as it is purposeful. And while it may feel like a small action, the data you collect contributes to a worldwide effort to protect and understand bird populations. So grab a notebook, a pair of binoculars, or just your curiosity, and see where these moments of observation take you.
Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:
Once you’ve chosen your location and spent time observing, the next step is identifying the birds you’ve encountered. This is where the tools available for GBBC truly shine, making it easy for anyone—regardless of experience level—to take part and share their observations.
There’s a method that works for you:
- For Beginners: If you’re new to identifying birds, the Merlin Bird ID app is an excellent starting point. This free app helps you recognize birds by asking a few simple questions or analyzing photos and sounds. It’s like having a birding expert in your pocket, ready to guide you through the process. Merlin covers species from around the world, so no matter where you are, it’s a reliable companion.
- For Experienced Birders: If you’re familiar with identifying birds and want to log specific numbers, the eBird Mobile app is the perfect choice. This free app allows you to record detailed bird counts quickly and efficiently while you’re still in the field. Prefer using a computer? You can also log your sightings through the eBird website after your birding session.
- For Regular Participants: If you already use Merlin or eBird, keep doing what you’ve been doing! Any entries made during the four-day GBBC period will automatically contribute to the global count. There’s no need to sign up separately for the event—your participation is seamless.
One of the best parts? You’re not just observing birds—you’re contributing to a massive, global citizen science project that helps researchers track bird populations, migration patterns, and habitat changes over time. Knowing that your efforts make a difference adds an extra layer of purpose to an already enjoyable activity. So grab your favorite tool, take a deep breath, and start discovering the birds around you!
Three Ways to Enter Data
Merlin Bird ID
If you’re NEW to birdwatching and bird identification, the Merlin Bird ID app is a user-friendly, FREE way to get started. This free, easy-to-use app acts as your personal bird guide, helping you identify the species you see or hear in just a few steps. It’s not only intuitive but also globally comprehensive, covering bird species across all seven continents and available in 18 languages, making it an invaluable tool no matter where you are.

Here’s how you can get started with Merlin Bird ID:
- Download the Merlin Bird ID App: Available on both iOS and Android platforms, the app is completely free and quick to install. Once you’ve downloaded it, you can customize it by downloading bird packs for your region.
- Follow the Instructions: Merlin uses a combination of simple questions about the bird’s size, color, and behavior, or it can analyze photos and sounds you capture. Whether you’re watching a busy backyard feeder or spotting a solitary bird on a forest trail, Merlin helps you pinpoint the species.
- Log Your Sightings for GBBC: After identifying a bird, select “That is My Bird” in the app to ensure your data contributes to the Great Backyard Bird Count. Each entry you make adds valuable information to the global database, aiding research and conservation efforts.
Merlin is especially helpful for those just beginning their birding journey. It removes the guesswork from identification and lets you focus on the joy of discovery. By participating in GBBC with this tool, you’re joining a global effort to understand and protect birds. Start small, let Merlin guide you, and watch your birding confidence grow with every sighting
eBird Mobile
For birdwatchers who thrive on precision and efficiency, the eBird Mobile app is a game changer. Tailored for those who have already honed their skills in tracking bird species, it provides an intuitive and immediate way to log sightings, all while being entirely FREE. Gone are the days of scribbling notes in a field guide—this app transforms your birding outings into a seamless digital record, making your contributions to global birding research effortless. Here’s how to make it work for you:
- Install the eBird Mobile app and prepare for a hands-on birding experience that’s as dynamic as the birds you observe.
- Input the location, date, and time of your outing to ensure your data is accurate and easily accessible for future reference.
- Capture the species and count of each bird you encounter, with options to add extra details, like behavior or environmental conditions, giving your entries depth.

By using eBird, you’re not just ticking off birds on a list—you’re connecting to a worldwide network of enthusiasts and researchers, and contributing meaningful data to the understanding of bird populations and migration patterns.
Desktop or Laptop
If you’re someone who enjoys jotting down your birding observations on paper during your outings, the eBird website offers an ideal way to transfer your sightings into a digital format at your convenience. This method allows you to organize and refine your bird lists after your adventure, without the pressure of having to do it on the spot. Perfect for those who prefer the tactile experience of field notes but want the benefits of tracking data online. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the eBird website from the comfort of your home or office.
- Create an account or log in to your existing profile to keep your birding history organized.
- Submit your observations by heading to the “Submit Observations” tab, where you can enter your sightings at your own pace and even add details or notes you might have missed.
This approach lets you process your birding experience thoroughly, giving you the freedom to enjoy your time in the field without distractions, while still contributing valuable information to the global birding community. Plus, it’s a great way to reflect on your day and track your progress over time!
For help with eBird, you can follow our step-by-step instructions. If you’d like to download a local bird checklist before heading out, watch this video for guidance.
Map or Find Community Birding Events
Are you birding for GBBC as part of a community event? Add it to the map so others can join you and help build a global network of bird enthusiasts. If you’re looking to join an event, use the map to find activities near you.

Add to the map or find an event to join
Events happen all over the world during GBBC, and they’re a great way to connect with others who share your love for birds. If you’re participating as a group, check out our instructions on Group Counting to make your experience seamless.
Let’s Make Great Backyard Bird Count 2025 Unforgettable!
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an opportunity to engage with the richness of bird life on a deeper level. It’s not just about spotting the birds we already know, but also about recognizing patterns, discovering new species, and contributing to a scientific effort that has real-world implications. Every bird observed is part of a larger dataset that helps shape conservation efforts and informs us about the health of our ecosystems.

For those of us who spend time in the field, this is a chance to slow down and pay attention to the subtle details—the way a species behaves, where it prefers to perch, or how its presence fits into the broader landscape of migration and population trends. It’s a rare moment where we can blend our passion for birding with the opportunity to make a difference in the world of ornithological research.
This year, I encourage you to approach the GBBC with both curiosity and purpose. The data you collect is more than just a list; it’s an important part of a much larger conversation about bird populations and environmental health. Take time to reflect on the birds in your area, observe their behavior, and share your findings with the community. This is a weekend where your observations truly matter.
So, grab your binoculars, open your birding apps, and take a moment to appreciate the birds that call your space home. I’m looking forward to what we’ll uncover together, and I hope you’ll take this opportunity to truly connect with both the science and the beauty of the birding world.
Happy Bird Counting!