Philadelphians Invited to Join Great Backyard Bird Count This Weekend

Annual citizen science initiative helps researchers track bird populations and migration patterns.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Great Backyard Bird Count, a popular citizen science program, is taking place this Valentine's Day weekend, giving Philadelphia-area residents the opportunity to contribute data on local bird populations. The count is an important initiative that helps scientists and researchers better understand and protect bird species across the world.

Why it matters

The data collected during the Great Backyard Bird Count provides critical insights into bird populations, migration patterns, and environmental changes that impact avian species. This information is invaluable for conservation efforts and helps guide policies to protect birds and their habitats.

The details

The Great Backyard Bird Count is open to anyone, from experienced birders to novices, who can simply observe and report the birds they see in their backyards or local parks. The count takes place over the Valentine's Day weekend, a time when both migrating and resident bird populations will be present in the Philadelphia region, making it an important period for data collection.

  • The Great Backyard Bird Count runs from February 14-17, 2026.
  • Spring migration is 'just around the corner' for the Philadelphia area.

The players

Bernard Devlin

Communications manager at Audubon Mid-Atlantic, an organization that promotes bird conservation and education.

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What they’re saying

“This is important because scientists and researchers … are learning more about what birds are doing and how we can protect them and the environment that we share with these birds on a constant basis. So these observations really help to build that community citizen science.”

— Bernard Devlin, Communications manager (WHYY)

What’s next

Residents in the Philadelphia region are encouraged to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count by observing and reporting the birds they see in their local areas over the Valentine's Day weekend.

The takeaway

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a valuable citizen science initiative that empowers local communities to contribute data that helps researchers and conservationists better understand and protect bird populations, making it an important way for Philadelphians to show their love for the natural world this Valentine's Day.