The Great Backyard Bird Count (G.B.B.C.) is a great way for people of all ages to connect with nature and Audubon and Cornell invite you to get involved February 12 - 15, 2010-- President's Day weekend. It's easy and free - just count the birds in your backyard, local park or another location and report what you see online at www.birdcount.org.  At that site you can also see what birds are being reported in your own neighborhood and throughout the United States and Canada.

Taking part in the G.B.B.C. helps give scientists important information about birds and the environment we share. When you volunteer to help you become part of a large team of Citizen Scientists across the country.

Bird-watching is also the second fastest growing hobby in the USA, right after gardening, and the G.B.B.C. combines the two. Anyone can join the fun; no experience required.

Introducing a relative or friend to bird watching is a wonderful gift. It's perfect as a family exercise and is a stress-reducer. Listening to bird songs helps too! Find out some other reasons why people love to combine them by participating.

Discover how you can create a bird-friendly yard at http://www.audubonathome.org/birdstohelp. However, the G.B.B.C. is not limited to your backyard, you can count anywhere you choose - at a local park, a school yard, even a city garden.

The 48th Annual Captree Christmas Bird Count will be conducted this year on Sunday, December 20th, followed by a compilation dinner at the Villa Monaco restaurant in West Islip. The restaurant is located at 778 Montauk Highway (27A), just 1/2 mile west of the Robert Moses Causeway. It's a warm and friendly place with delicious food and a festive atmosphere. Dinner includes salad, pasta, choice of chicken, veal, or eggplant dishes, soda, coffee, and cake. The cost is $20 per person and includes tax and gratuity. Drinks other than soda are extra. We hope to have everyone gathered there with their area numbers tallied by 5:00 PM.

Please contact your party leader to arrange meeting times and coverage duties, or you can contact Pat Lindsay or Shai Mitra directly.