The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology urgently need the help of North Americans of all ages to count birds this winter. By participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count 2000, February 18-21, bird watchers, regardless of skill level, will help scientists document the status and health of our winter bird populations at the turn of the millenium, at the start of spring migrations.

Taking part is as easy as 1,2,3. The Cornell Lab (http://www.birds.cornell.edu) and National Audubon Society (http://www.audubon.org) ask everyone -- kids, adults, seniors, families, classrooms, and community groups -- to count the birds they see at their backyard bird feeders, local parks, and other areas. Participants then enter their reports online at BirdSource (http://www.birdsource.org), a user-friendly, state-of-the-art website developed by the Cornell Lab and Audubon.

This year, BirdSource encourages participants to be especially aware of Bald Eagles. "In light of the proposed removal of the Bald Eagle from the list of Endangered and Threatened species, we encourage our birders to pay attention not only to common backyard birds, but also to our country's national symbol," said Frank Gill, Senior Vice President for Science at National Audubon. "This citizen science project will allow all Americans to monitor vigilantly the health and abundance of their national bird with an immediacy and breadth never before possible."

Widespread citizen participation will assist scientists in both the short and long term. "By helping us count birds, people from subtropical Florida to Arctic Canada and Alaska will help us to understand better the effects of changing weather and landscape on our birds' health and movement patterns," continued Gill. "Last year, some 42,000 reports -- triple the number of reports from the previous year -- tallied more than three million birds of 350 species."

"We're excited to see what this year's snapshot of bird distributions and densities will reveal," said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab. "Each year of the count is vital to establish an accurate picture of North American bird populations. Over time, our results become more critical to understanding the environment. This count, the largest Internet-based bird census ever conducted, enables us to ensure our common birds remain common and tells us when to take protective measures for those species in decline."

Audubon and Cornell stress that amateurs can contribute essential information to this and other studies. "Birdwatching is the fastest-growing outdoor recreation in the U.S. is enjoyed by millions. As information needs grow, the observations made by those who care about birds become increasingly important to conservation. It is vital to use this hobby to aid science," said Audubon's Gill. "With the cutting-edge Internet technology of BirdSource, the real time, continent-wide compilation of citizen-science reports fulfills that need."

In order for GBBC to be a success, Cornell and Audubon invite the estimated 60-million North Americans who feed or watch birds to take part. "It's important for birdwatchers everywhere to tell us what they're seeing. We need people to help by spending as little as 15 minutes -- on any or all days of the count -- recording the numbers and kinds of birds they see during their morning coffee break, while driving to work, taking a stroll, or while purposefully out birdwatching," said Cornell's Fitzpatrick.

Participants tally the highest number of each species seen at one time (so as not to count the same birds more than once). Observers go to BirdSource to report their sightings by clicking on their state or province. Within hours, they will see how their reports combine with others across the continent to create a "snapshot" of North American birds. This count has the added benefit of helping BirdSource assess the value of backyards as habitat and evaluate the species of birds dependent upon them.

75 percent of North American households now own personal computers. Those without Internet access can enter their results at local libraries, schools or during a break at work.

We're especially enthusiastic about the potential of citizen science through the Internet," adds Audubon's Gill. "It means we'll have that many more eyes out there scanning the North and Latin American landscapes, counting the birds. We need every U.S. zip code and Canadian Postal Code to be represented on this year's maps."

Great Backyard Bird Count is a perfect family or youth group activity. Last year, classrooms all across the U.S. logged on. The updated site features "Let's Talk About Birds," a list of words associated with birds and their environments, and "Bird-Brained Bibliography" which suggests reference books, field guides, and novels for educators, students, and beginning birders. New additions include "How to Birdwatch," an introduction to birding, using binoculars and field guides; and "Where in the World Were These Birds?" a geography/research lesson. Site visitors can view colorful bird images, hear bird vocalizations, and see trend data from last year's backyard count and other citizen-science projects, such as Project FeederWatch and Christmas Bird Count.

To participate, go to BirdSource (http://www.birdsource.org), and click on Great Backyard Bird Count. Directions are provided at the site. Participation is free. No registration is necessary. For more information, prospective counters can call toll-free 1-800-843-BIRD (2473).