The Great Backyard Bird Count will take place on February 13-16, 2009.  It 
is an excellent activity for novice birders to become more involved in 
birding.  Full information on how to participate is available on their 
website at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

The middle of February is an exciting time to watch birds.  The first 
stirrings of breeding activity in many species can be observed at this 
time.  Woodland species can be heard singing and counter singing.  The 
sound of woodpeckers drumming can also be heard.  Territorial disputes 
erupt between male birds of the same species.  Certain species of diurnal 
raptors copulate at this time.  Few things can compare to the thrill of 
watching the courtship of a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks.

Last year I participated by surveying the common areas in my apartment 
complex and nearby Lazelle Woods Park.  Because of all that I observed in 
these four days, my participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count evolved 
into searching for and logging breeding activity in birds, which I then 
logged into the breeding bird atlas website, located at 
http://www.ohiobirds.org/obba2/

Even though February is a long way off, I would highly recommend making 
plans to participate.

Al La Sala
Columbus, OH

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