This is Bird Note.

To join the Great Backyard Bird Count, one of the biggest community science events of the year,

you don't even need a backyard. You just need 15 minutes and an interest in birds.

Over the course of four days in February, the great

backyard bird count gathers heaps of info about birds all over the world and helps people

connect with their local birds.

If you're new to identifying birds, you can download the Merlin Bird ID app to help figure out which species you're encountering based on looks and sound.

If you already recognize your neighborhood birds, you can use e-bird to submit a list of every species

you see or hear during the count. And you can submit as many checklists as you want during the event.

It's a great opportunity to bring friends or family along with you to the backyard or a nearby park and help them have their first birding experience.

You'll submit a shared checklist with all the species you observed as a group.

The event begins tomorrow and ends on Monday.

Learn more at our website, birdnote.org.

I'm Michael Stein.