The Great Backyard Bird count is underway, and you can be part of it. Rick Zarwell of Iowa’s Audubon Society says they’re not looking just for rare birds, just a census of all the ones spotted on a particular weekend which provides a ton of useful information. Zarwell says the mild winter hasn’t led to migratory birds overwintering in Iowa, but he does see another result, they’re coming back north early. It takes no qualifications to be a bird-counter this weekend, Zarwell says. Get details by going to the website www.birdsource.org, which is also where you’ll report your count and take an instant look at the reports already in from around the country. And don’t think you’ll be alone in your amateur birdwatching.He says it’s the fastest-growing outdoor sport in the country, and there are twice as many birdwatchers as hunters and fishermen combined. The backyard bird count goes on through Monday. And if you’re busy this weekend, Zarwell says your next chance will be “International Migratory Bird Day,” a volunteer counting event coming up in May.
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