This year, from February 13th - February 16th, the 18th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place! The Annual Great Backyard Bird Count is a great scientific endeavor that aims to document bird populations around the world. The project even allows the public to get in on the action and voluntarily report their findings! These findings gathered by the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada, help track the changes in bird populations on a massive scale.

In order to participate you'll need approximately 15 minutes or so on one or more of the count days to dedicate to counting and entering your sightings to the bird count website, that’s it!

Now, while you can always birdwatch right from the comfort of home, or right in your own backyard, you can also visit one of these great spots on Long Island to go birdwatching!

Bayard Cutting Arboretum
440 Montauk Highway, Great River, NY 11739
631-581-1002

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
Route 25, Smithtown, NY 11787
631-265-1054

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
2595 Noyack Road, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-7598

Massapequa Preserve
Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758
516-571-7443

Muttontown Preserve
Jericho-Oyster Bay Rd., Syosset, NY 11791
516-571-8500

Planting Fields Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516-922-9200

Sweetbriar Nature Center
62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown, NY 117787
631-979-6344

Welwyn Nature Preserve
100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542
516-676-1474