ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT

The Great Backyard Bird Count
By Judy Isacoff, Science Consultant

Just before break, on Friday, 12 February, Judy & Laura's science study for the 6-7's was to identify and count birds for the Celebrate Urban Birds Great Backyard Bird Count.  Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, Cornell University, and Bird Studies Canada, people of all ages and backgrounds reported their neighborhood and park avian friends from all over the U.S. and Canada.  Our MCS contingent reported:  21 gulls, 1 white throated sparrow and 14 house sparrows.  The rules of entry specified that only one sighting of any species of bird be reported:  the largest group of that kind of bird viewed together.  We observed many groups of sparrows and gulls in the course of our half-hour loop on the snow-lined path around the 96th Street playground, but had to report the biggest group during that time.  This avoids counting any bird multiple times. The students, pictured above, used The Field Guide to Central Park Birds, to identify the birds.  For engaging information about birds in winter and beyond, go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/

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