If you like birds and want to get involved with this important national winter bird count, Agate Fossil Beds' 2,700 acres comprise three different bird habitats attracting upland birds, prairie birds and wetlands birds.  With almost five miles of walking trails within the park, birders can see these three different habitats without having to go cross country.  Each participant will receive a free Pocket Guide to Prairie Birds put out by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory.  Other bird books are available in the Oregon Trail Museum Association bookstore in the visitor center.

February 15 -18, 2013 is the 16^th annual Great Backyard Bird Count.This event is hosted by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  People new to birding as well as experienced birders are encouraged to participate in the count.  Each year, participants' reports track the location and numbers of familiar birds, as well as document unusual bird behavior.  Patterns of migration, trends reflecting climate change, disease, and use of urban areas are all studied using the results of this program.  Last year 623 species and 17 million birds were counted.

It's easy to participate.

1.Visit www.birdsource.org/gbbc for easy-to-follow instructions, including tips for identifying bird species.Download a checklist for your area.

2.Count the birds you see, wherever you choose to count.  Write down the highest number of individual birds you see at one time-that way you will avoid counting any bird twice.

3.After at least 15 minutes of watching in one place, report your results online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc . (You can spend more time observing if you prefer.)

4.You can repeat your count at the same place on each day of the Great Backyard Bird Count, or you can visit other locations.  Submit a new checklist for each day, time period and location.