Our collaborative is hosting a range of programs that will help you get involved in the NC Bird Count. Check out the list below to find a program near you!
Virtual Programs (available statewide)
February 15
Intro to Bird ID
February 15, 7:00-8:00pm
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Free
Register here
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a massive international citizen science event where people count and report the birds they see over a four day period in February. Join us to learn the basics of bird ID so you can participate in the GBBC too! We’ll cover the four keys to bird ID, how to make a good observation, identification resources, and how to collect and submit your data to eBird for the GBBC. This program is perfect for beginning birders ages 8+!
February 16
Birding Basics: The Wonder of Birds
February 16, 6:00-7:00pm
Online via The North Carolina Arboretum
$25.00 (Arboretum Society Members receive a 10% discount)
Register here
Birdwatching has increased 300% during the pandemic, and many eyes are newly opened to the wonder of birds. Expand your world view of the wonder of birds in this travelog of birding near and far. We’re going to look at the multiple shapes and colors and variety of birds on the planet. With so much fun and adventure in the world of birds, you don’t have to be a beginner to enjoy this lively presentation by expert birder Simon Thompson.
February 17
Intro to Bird ID
February 17, 12:00-1:00pm
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Free
Register here
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a massive international citizen science event where people count and report the birds they see over a four day period in February. Join us to learn the basics of bird ID so you can participate in the GBBC too! We’ll cover the four keys to bird ID, how to make a good observation, identification resources, and how to collect and submit your data to eBird for the GBBC. This program is perfect for beginning birders ages 8+!
In-person Programs
February 16
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 16, 9:00-10:00am
Highlands Nature Center, 111 Lower Lake Road, Highlands NC 28741
Free
No registration required
Who is wintering in these woods? Join the Highlands Nature Center as we take part in the 26th Great Backyard Bird Count! Birders of all skill levels are welcome to join us as we take an easy stroll around the campus to find our feathered friends. Our checklist will help scientists to understand how birds across the world are doing. Binoculars are provided. This walk is weather-dependent.
February 17
Great Backyard Bird Count Walk
February 17, 9:00 – 11:00am
White Deer Park, 2400 Aversboro Road, Garner NC 27529
Free
Register here
Join us at White Deer Park for a bird walk along the trails. We will be counting birds for the 26th annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Learn how to identify some of our common winter species, and how you can continue to participate at home. Ages 7 and up.
Backyard Bird Counting!
February 17. 2023, 9:00 – 10:30am
City of Raleigh, Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Drive; Raleigh, NC 27614
Cost $2
Register here
Become a citizen scientist and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count! We’ll collect data on Wilkerson’s many winter-time birds to help scientists track migration patterns, and we’ll learn how you can attract more birds to your own backyard. No prior birding experience is necessary. Binoculars will be provided. Program is for ages 12+, pre-registration is required.
Bird Count Walk
February 17, 3:30 – 5:00pm
Lake Rim Park, 2214 Tar Kiln Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304
Free
More Information
Take a walk around Lake Rim Park to see which of our feathered friends are flitting about while counting birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the park office. Call or register online. No experience necessary. Adults and mature children ages 8+.
Discovery Station: Winter Backyard Birds
February 17, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Free
Learn how to identify common winter birds by sight and sound, become a citizen scientist and participate in the NC Bird Count (and earn a custom embroidered badge), make a bird feeder to take home, and go on a scavenger hunt! All ages welcome, but most appropriate for families with children ages 6+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bird Walk for the Great Backyard Bird Count
February 17. 2:00-3:00pm
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh
Free
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a massive international citizen science event where people count and report the birds they see over a four day period in February. Join us for a walk around Prairie Ridge to document birds for the GBBC! We’ll loan you a pair of binoculars and teach you how to collect data for eBird during the program. This program is perfect for beginning to advanced birders ages 8+! Meet your walk leader at the entrance of Prairie Ridge! Come dressed for the weather and ready to be outdoors the entire program.
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 17, 9:00-10:00am
Highlands Nature Center, 111 Lower Lake Road, Highlands NC 28741
Free
No registration required
Who is wintering in these woods? Join the Highlands Nature Center as we take part in the 26th Great Backyard Bird Count! Birders of all skill levels are welcome to join us as we take an easy stroll around the campus to find our feathered friends. Our checklist will help scientists to understand how birds across the world are doing. Binoculars are provided. This walk is weather-dependent.
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 17, 12:00-2:00pm
Bald Head Island Conservancy, 700 Federal Road, Bald Head Island, NC 28561
Free
No Registration RequiredJoin the Bald Head Island Conservancy in participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count and ecoEXPLORE Ornithology Badge! This family-friendly, free program is on Friday 2/17 from 12-2pm. We’ll have two guided bird walks around campus and ecoExplore bird activities in Fleming Environmental Education Center. You’ll learn all about birds and how scientists need our help to count the birds that we see in our very own backyards! Bring binoculars if you have them! Bird walks are weather dependent.
Bird’s the Word
February 17, 3:00-5:00pm
Highlands Nature Center, 111 Lower Lake Road, Highlands NC 28741
Free
No registration required
Join us for a family-friendly afternoon all about birds! Borrow child-sized binoculars to spot birds around Lindenwood Lake, go on a scavenger hunt in the Botanical Garden, and learn how scientists need our help to count the birds in our backyards. This event is weather-dependent.
February 18
Serious Skills for Adults: NC Bird Atlas
February 18, 2:00 – 3:30pm
Blue Jay Point County Park, 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27614
Free
Register here
The NC Bird Atlas is a statewide community science project to map birds during the breeding and wintering seasons. Join one of Blue Jay’s educators and CC King, Science Support Specialist for the NCWRC, to learn about birding, observing breeding behaviors, and how you can contribute to this exciting project! Binoculars will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. This program will include up to two miles of hiking on mulched, paved, grassy, and/or gravel terrain. For 16yrs & up.
Great Backyard Bird Count Walk
February 18, 8:00 – 10:00am
White Deer Park, 2400 Aversboro Road, Garner NC 27529
Free
Register here
Join us at White Deer Park for a bird walk along the trails. We will be counting birds for the 26th annual Great Backyard Bird Count. Learn how to identify some of our common winter species, and how you can continue to participate at home. Ages 16 and up.
Birdy Basics
February 18, 1:00 – 3:00pm
White Deer Park, 2400 Aversboro Road, Garner NC 27529
Free
Register here
Join us at the White Deer Park Nature Center for all things birdy! Make your own binoculars, play bird bingo, watch the birds at our new feeder station, go on a bird scavenger hunt, and more! This is a drop-in program that does not require registration.
Backyard Bird Count Drop-In Program
February 18, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2986 Rocky River Rd. Charlotte
Free
Register here
Stop by the exhibit hall at Reedy Creek Nature Center anytime during the two-hour block for this afternoon drop-in program. Help us in the annual bird count and discover new facts about our local bird life. No birding experience necessary. Adult participation required if under 18.
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd. Fayetteville, NC 28301
Included with regular admission/membership ( Admission is $10 for adults, $9 military and seniors, $5 children 5-12, free under 5)
Register here
Enjoy a guided birding walk, a children’s bird scavenger hunt, and a variety of bird themed games and crafts. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an opportunity to support citizen science and celebrate birds! Included with regular admission or membership. Please check back for an updated schedule of activities included guided tour times. Binoculars will be available.
Great Backyard Bird Count Day
February 18, 10:00am – 3:30pm
The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
Free with regular parking fee ($16.00 per personal vehicle)
More Information
Join us for a day filled with experiences to observe and learn about birds up close and in the field. Free beginner bird walks will begin at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Education Center. Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists will be featuring a live raptor program at 2:30 p.m. Come by anytime between 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to view a bird mist netting demonstration by Wild Bird Research Group and see how the Arboretum contributes to international songbird research.
Bird Count Walk
February 18, 2:30 – 4:00pm
Mazarick Park, 1400 Belvedere Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Free
More Information
Combine your interest in birds with a chance to help scientists learn more about them during the Great Backyard Bird Count. Participants can also earn a badge by submitting checklists to the NC Bird Count. Meet at the Mazarick building and bring binoculars if you have them. No experience necessary. Call Clark Park or register online. Adults and mature children ages 8+.
Great Backyard Bird Count Hike at Africa Lake
February 18, 9:00 – 10:30am
North Carolina Zoo, 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205
Free
Register here (program full – waitlist available)
Participate in a worldwide bird count right here at the Zoo! Observations during this bird walk around the Africa Lake will be submitted to the Great Backyard Bird Count. Learn how to identify some of our common winter species, and how you can continue to participate at home. This area of the Zoo has great bird diversity, so we will be on the lookout for shore and water birds, raptors, woodpeckers, and other common winter birds. This birding opportunity is open to all experience levels. Binoculars will be available. Ages 8 and up.
Bird ID Basics
February 18, 9:30-11:30am
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh
Free
Register here
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a massive international citizen science event where people count and report the birds they see over a four day period in February. Join us to learn the basics of bird ID so you can participate in the GBBC too! We’ll cover the four keys to bird ID, how to make a good observation, identification resources, and how to collect and submit your data to eBird for the GBBC. After we finish the classroom portion of the program, we’ll practice our new skills on real birds! This program is perfect for beginning birders ages 10+.
Bird ID Basics
February 18, 1:00-2:30pm
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh
Free
Register here
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a massive international citizen science event where people count and report the birds they see over a four day period in February. Join us to learn the basics of bird ID so you can participate in the GBBC too! We’ll cover the four keys to bird ID, how to make a good observation, identification resources, and how to collect and submit your data to eBird for the GBBC. After we finish the classroom portion of the program, we’ll practice our new skills on real birds! This program is perfect for beginning birders ages 10+.
Bird Walk for the Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18. 11:30am-12:30pm
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh
Free
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a massive international citizen science event where people count and report the birds they see over a four day period in February. Join us for a walk around Prairie Ridge to document birds for the GBBC! We’ll loan you a pair of binoculars and teach you how to collect data for eBird during the program. This program is perfect for beginning to advanced birders ages 8+! Meet your walk leader at the entrance of Prairie Ridge! Come dressed for the weather and ready to be outdoors the entire program.
Bird Walk for the Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18. 3:00-4:00pm
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh
Free
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a massive international citizen science event where people count and report the birds they see over a four day period in February. Join us for a walk around Prairie Ridge to document birds for the GBBC! We’ll loan you a pair of binoculars and teach you how to collect data for eBird during the program. This program is perfect for beginning to advanced birders ages 8+! Meet your walk leader at the entrance of Prairie Ridge! Come dressed for the weather and ready to be outdoors the entire program.
NCAFF Bird Count Day
February 18, 9:00am – 4:00pm
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Rd, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Activity Table Included with Admission
Register here
Our aquarium has amazing views of underwater animals, but we also have a wonderful window where you can see birds of Coastal Carolina. During the Great Backyard Birdcount, we will have an activity table at our birding window with hands-on practice IDing birds and helpful tutorials on how to participate in the NC Bird Count and earn a badge! Come back and enjoy the sky and the sea in one wonderful visit.
Winter Backyard Birds
February 18, 10:00-11:00am
Nash County Arboretum, 1006 Eastern Avenue, Nashville, NC 27856
Free
No Registration Required
Join us for this free program, fun for all ages, to learn about bird friendly plants, make a simple bird feeder, and learn about the bird identification apps. You will also discover how to earn the NC Bird Count patch and have some time to explore and bird in the Nash County Arboretum. Please bring a chair/blanket to sit on, and dress appropriately for the weather. If possible download the eBird app to your phone before you come.
Birding Basics and Art with the Birds
February 18, 10:30am-12:00pm
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville 415 South Madison Street, Whiteville, NC 28472
Free
Register here
Join a museum educator and a local artist at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville for a small bird hike to learn about Birding Basics and learn about earning the NC Bird Count Badge! Learn about the birds found in Columbus County, have a chance to draw them and see some specimens. This program is for all ages but will also count towards the Ornithology Badge for ecoEXPLORE participants.
February 19
Backyard Bird Count Hike
February 19, 2:00 – 3:00pm
Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2986 Rocky River Rd. Charlotte
Free
Register here
Take a stroll with a Reedy Creek educator as we look and listen for different birds on our umbrella tree trail. All birds we find will go towards our numbers for the backyard bird count! Umbrella Tree Trail is a one mile loop rated as an easy to moderate hike with some uphill and downhill sections. There are stairs at one portion of the trail. Adult participation required if under 18.
Great Backyard Bird Count Hike
February 19, 8:00 – 10:00am
Stevens Creek Nature Center, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill
Free
Register here
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a massive community science project conducted every February. Anyone can count the birds in their backyard or local park, and the data collected helps assess bird populations worldwide. Bring your flock to this casual bird hike and contribute to this global project.
Discovery Station: Winter Backyard Birds
February 19, 2-4 p.m.
North Carolina Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Free
Learn how to identify common winter birds by sight and sound, become a citizen scientist and participate in the NC Bird Count (and earn a custom embroidered badge), make a bird feeder to take home, and go on a scavenger hunt! All ages welcome, but most appropriate for families with children ages 6+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
February 20
Bird Count Walk
February 20, 9:00 – 10:30am
Clark Park Nature Center, 631 Sherman Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Free
More Information
Take a walk around Clark Park to see which of our feathered friends are flitting about while counting birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Bring binoculars if you have them. Call or register online. No experience necessary. Adults and mature children ages 8+.
Great Backyard Bird Count Hike at Nichols Preserve
February 20, 9:00 am – 10:30am
Nichols Longleaf Pine Preserve (20 miles south of Asheboro, detailed location provided upon registration)
Free
Register here (program full – waitlist available)
Become a citizen scientist and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count! Learn how to identify some of our common winter species, and how you can continue to participate at home. This bird walk will take place on the Nichols Longleaf Pine Preserve, one of the North Carolina Zoo’s off-site nature preserves that is not normally open to the public. This property contains the largest remaining known stand of old-growth Piedmont longleaf pine in North Carolina and is home to a diversity of endemic and common bird species. This birding opportunity is open to all experience levels. Binoculars will be available. Ages 8 and up.
scienceacrossnc.org 