If you love birds, this week is your week.

The 26th-annual Great Backyard Bird Count takes place Friday through Monday as bird and nature lovers everywhere unite in the effort to tally as many of the world’s bird species as possible during these four days.

The GBBC website at www.birdcount.org., according to a press release, has tools and information to help birdwatching newbies and veterans participate in the count. Those interested are invited to tune in to a special webinar about how to participate in the GBBC being held Wednesday at 1 p.m. It’s free. Just register to attend this live-streamed event.

During the live question-and-answer session, experts from Audubon, Birds Canada, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will share their tips for making birdwatching easier and more enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities.

Combined with other bird counts, GBBC results help create a clearer picture of how birds are faring — whether individual species are declining, increasing or holding steady in the face of habitat loss, climate change and other threats.

“Based on the recently released State of the Birds report, we know that half the bird species in the United States and Canada are decreasing,” said David Bonter, co-director of the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab. “We absolutely need the eyes and ears of birdwatchers to give us the big picture when it comes to shifting bird populations.”

Each participant or group counts birds for any length of time (but for at least 15 minutes) and enters the birds they could identify at each site they visited, whether that be from home, at a local park or in a wilderness area.

Those new to the event should read the How to Participate instructions. Visit the website at www.birdcount.org. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome. And there’s another reason to count the birds — it’s good for you.

“Take a moment during this long weekend to observe, listen to and count birds and improve your health, too. Birdwatching and being in nature can reduce stress and improve your mood,” said Chad Wilsey, chief scientist and vice president at National Audubon Society.

An estimated 385,000 people participated during the 2022 GBBC. They reported more than 7,000 species from 192 countries. Many GBBC participants discover a new fascination with birds and enjoy exploring (and comparing) results from around the world.

“The Great Backyard Bird Count is a stepping stone toward bird conservation,” said Patrick Nadeau, president of Birds Canada. “Taking this step in February launches a journey of discovery whether you’re just beginning to learn about the birds around you or an experienced birder watching out for new feathered friends.”

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada and is made possible in part by founding sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project (also referred to as community science) to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real time. Birds Canada joined the project in 2009 to provide an expanded capacity to support participation in Canada.

In 2013, it became a global project when we began entering data into eBird, the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science (community science) project.