This weekend, citizen scientists worldwide will turn to the skies to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Each February, the public is invited to watch and count as many birds as possible for four days.
We spoke with local experts about ways to enjoy Delaware birding this weekend and every weekend!
February 14 - 17
Since 1988, citizen scientists have turned to the skies in February to watch and count as many birds as possible over four days. Scientists will use these observations to understand global bird populations before they migrate. The project is a collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audobon Society. There are no age requirements, fancy equipment needed, or money to shell out. How To Get Involved: Pick a location to watch birds. It could be your backyard or local parks. From February 14 - 17, watch and listen for birds for at least fifteen minutes. Identify all birds you see and hear during those 15 minutes using the Merlin Bird ID app, eBird Mobile app, or eBird website. Data entry for this weekend will remain open until March 1. |
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Delaware Birding Locations
We asked local birders about their recommendations for the best places for Delaware birding.
 Photo by the Brandywine Zoo |
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: In a new place. You don't know what you'll see because it's new to you! Anticipation and excitement make it fun even if you don't see much.
- Favorite Bird Fact: There's bird-friendly coffee and chocolate for us to enjoy! It's grown on farms that follow rigorous certification standards.
- Advice For Fledgling Bird Watchers:
- Learn the basics for identification (shape, size, habitat, color pattern, and behavior).
- A great resource is Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Not only is there bird identification but also webinars, DIY birdhouse instructions, feeder/seed information, and items to purchase.
Jen Klotz, Brandywine Zoo, Community Engagement Specialist
 Photo by Jordan Brown |
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: Anywhere that I am on my kayak!
- Favorite Bird Fact: Woodpeckers can peck up to 20 times per second!
- Advice For Fledgling Bird Watchers: Use the habitat that the bird is in to help you identify it - many species can be tricky, but don’t give up! Merlin is the best (free) ID app (but don’t rely solely on this).
Jordan Brown, Raptor, Grassland, and Forest Bird Biologist, DNREC
 Delaware Museum of Nature and Science |
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: White Clay Creek Watershed and Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
- Favorite Bird Fact: Birds are dinosaurs!
- Advice For Fledgling Bird Watchers: Go at your own pace. Enjoy the adventure.
Matthew Halley, Assistant Curator of Birds, DelMNS
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- Favorite Bird Fact: Shrikes store food for later by impaling their prey on branches, fence posts, and barbed wire.
- Advice For Fledgling Bird Watchers:
- Anyone can be a birder.
- Check out the Merlin Bird ID application and birdability.org for resources on starting out.
Ashley Kempken, Collections Manager of Birds, DelMNS
 Photo by Ian Stewart |
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna. A great place to see lots of different birds every month of the year, sometimes right outside your car window! Different seasons = different birds!
- Favorite Bird Fact: Hummingbirds only weigh the same as a nickel, yet they fly all the way to Delaware from Central America!
- Advice For Fledgling Bird Watchers:
- Start by watching the birds in your own backyard and learning their names.
- A great resource is Cornell University’s ‘all about birds’ website www.allaboutbirds.org
Ian Stewart, Ornithologist, Delaware Nature Society
 Photo by Mt. Cuba Center |
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: My young nephew’s backyard because we can get a close look at birds at his bird feeder without needing binoculars.
- Favorite Bird Fact: Some owls have ears that are asymmetrically located on their heads, which helps them pinpoint the exact location where a sound is coming from.
- Advice For Fledgling Bird Watchers:
- Find a tool that works with how you learn best.
- Two resources from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds and Merlin.
-Ellen Lake, Director of Conservation & Research at Mt. Cuba Center
 Photo by Charles H. Shattuck IV |
- Favorite Bird Fact: All birds are good birds.
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: My backyard, Auburn Valley State Park, or Ashland Nature Center
- Advice For Fledgling Bird Watchers:
- Count the birds in your yard, then visit places with a different habitat. Look in deep woods, open skies, and along a waterway.
- Bring a good pair of binoculars. A camera can capture an image and even a bad photo can give you clues to the species.
- The Merlin app is a great way to look up birds. It also can record bird songs and identify those birds singing.
Charles Shattuck, Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited-Hockessin
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: Bombay Hook is about as good as it gets in Delaware. The Lewes breakwall can be pretty awesome too.
- Favorite Bird Fact: Birds can sleep while flying and there are some seabirds that can stay aloft for months at a time.
- Advice for New Bird Watchers: Slow down and pay attention. Observe behavior, don't just see the animals.
Joshua T. Smith, Visitor Services Manager, Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex
- Favorite Place to Go Birding: Cape Henlopen State Park during the winter months. The diversity of bird species there is incredible!
- Favorite Bird Fact: Turkey Vultures are our most common large bird in the sky. They have amazing adaptations for feasting on decaying carcasses. They have bald heads and necks to prevent their feathers from getting dirty and gross while feeding on dead animals, and they vomit to defend themselves!
- #1 Piece of Advice and one resource for New Bird Watchers: Listen as much as you look when birding. You'll discover many more species when you learn their basic songs and calls. The best resource for birding is your observation skills. Even without binoculars, you can identify many species during a hike in your neighborhood or favorite park just by looking and listening.
Jim Rapp, Delmarva Birding Weekends
Resources
American Birding Association, Delaware City
Delaware Ornithological Society
Delaware Valley Ornithological Club
