"There has never been a more detailed snapshot of continental bird distribution in history," said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "It used to take scientists years to gather large-scale information about bird population and distribution—and the GBBC does it in just four days each year, thanks to a continent-wide community of birders reporting their counts online."
Along with collecting valuable data, the count also gathers new and vital support for the environment.
"This record breaking turnout is proof of a powerful formula—birds plus fun equals a lifelong connection to nature," said Audubon president John Flicker. "It turns kids, parents and grandparents into more than citizen scientists; it helps make them citizen stewards for the health of our planet."
American Robins topped the list as the most numerous species counted, with more than two million robins reported from 60 states and provinces. Participant Lorraine Margeson counted a flock of 750,000 robins roosting in a mangrove forest in St. Petersburg, Florida. "In the morning, the robins just pour out of there," she observed. "It's spectacular with the sunrise on their red bellies. When you see it, you think this is what makes life worth living."
This year's rare birds included five Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Oklahoma and two Pink-footed Geese in Rhode Island, first records for the GBBC.
Participants also submitted more than 4,000 bird photos. The GBBC online photo gallery shows images from across the continent, including a Rock Pigeon perched high above New York City, and a pink Roseate Spoonbill taking flight in Houston, Texas.
Full results of the count are available online at www.birdcount.org. Visitors can see what birds were reported in their own town or across the continent, and explore dynamic maps showing how bird distribution and abundance have changed during 10 years of the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Note to media: How did your community do in the Great Backyard Bird Count? For results from your town and a list of local and state checklist champs, visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc/press.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a nonprofit membership institution interpreting and conserving the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.