How to Participate in Winter Bird Watch

1. Look for as many birds as you can find for at least 15 minutes. Try attracting birds to your yard with a feeder, or just keep an eye out when you're going for a walk. You can participate just once or as many times as you want all winter long! Any birds you find in the Town of Garner will count towards the event. 

2. Take a digital picture of each bird you can find. Make sure it's clear enough to see identifying features. You can take multiple pictures of the same species to be thorough, but they should be one post. We’ve provided a species list for reference, so take a crack at identifying the birds you find!

3. All observations will be logged onto the platform iNaturalist. Download the app on any smart phone to log your own observations as you go. All you have to do is upload the pictures. You don’t have to identify the species if you don’t know it; the experts on iNaturalist will help you! If you don’t have access to the iNaturalist app, send all observation photos taken (along with when and where you took the photos) to wdpeducation@garnernc.gov when you’re done so the “bird experts” at White Deer Park can identify and log them for you!

This event is entirely virtual, so you don’t need to speak to anyone or fill out a participation form. However, we’d love to see or hear about anything interesting you find so don’t feel shy about tagging or messaging us on social media!

Identify your observations: Winter Backyard Birds

Or use our favorite bird id app: Merlin Bird ID

Follow the project: Garner Winter Bird Watch iNaturalist Project

How to use iNaturalist app: iNaturalist Instruction Video