A nationwide activity that helps scientists keep track of changing bird populations across the United States is being highlighted this month at the Gilmer County Library.
According to the National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count encourages bird-watchers of all ages to keep track of their bird counts, which helps create a real-time snapshot of area bird populations.
Per Audubon.org: “Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes, or as long as they wish, on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online. Each checklist submitted helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment we share. Last year, more than 160,000 participants submitted their bird observations online, creating the largest instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations ever recorded.”
Two upcoming educational programs at the local library will follow a bird-themed scavenger hunt and tablet activities for kids and adults, which were held during the recent national bird count days of Feb. 14-17.
A bird exploration program for kids will take place Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 10:30-11.30 a.m.
“It will be during the hour that we usually have storytime. It’s a way to make people aware of what kind of birds are in your backyard, including here in north Georgia, as well as what types of nests they build and what kinds of insects they eat, so that we can have a greater appreciation of nature around us,” said Monica Clark, the Gilmer library’s youth services coordinator.
Different activity stations will be set up for the event.
“They will include egg sorting, which will (show) the differences between large eggs, like chickens, and tiny bird eggs. They will be able to compare and contrast native bird feathers and exotic bird feathers. We will have diagrams of the structure of birds — their feathers, wings and beaks — and information about what those are used for,” Clark said. “We will have some birds scattered throughout the room and a pair of kid-size binoculars. They can use those to look around and try to spot the birds. We will also have a nest-building area where we will provide materials for them to make their own bird nests.”
The following evening, Thursday, Feb. 27, Jamie Davis, of Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company in Fannin County, will speak about how people can get started in the hobby of bird-watching. Both the child and adult programs are free to attend and open to the public.
“She will be talking about how to enjoy birding in your backyard, as well as the benefits of it. She will also talk about some of the apps you can use to participate in the national bird count, which is ongoing,” said Jessica Tibbetts, the library’s public services specialist.
Bird count data submitted at the library does not go directly to the Audubon Society or other scientific sources, but birdwatchers who keep track of their findings can go online and report that information at BirdCount.org.
“It happens several times throughout the year to get a snapshot of what birds are where during certain times of the year,” Tibbetts said.
More programs scheduled
Noting library events scheduled for the coming month, Clark said an educational “inside-out body program” for kids will take place Saturday, March 28.
“There will be a light table with X-rays, as well as an apron of the inside of the body that has removable felt organs so they can learn where those go and how they fit into the body,” she explained. “There will be a five senses station where they can, for example, smell something for sense of smell and feel different textures for sense of touch, as well as different (educational) models of the human body systems.”
Tibbetts said the library’s new Adulting 101 classes will continue Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. with a program on resume building. The five-part adulting program covers a different skill topic and tasks each month.
“North Georgia Staffing will be coming to give tips on how to structure your resume and how to interview,” Tibbetts noted. “That’s one of the biggest questions we get here, ‘Can you help me with my resume?”’
A “quilt roadshow” is being planned at the library. It will also take place in March.
“People will be able to bring in their quilts and have them evaluated by an expert. We will also have some quilts on display here,” Tibbetts said.