In just four days in February, participants in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) tallied more than 11 million birds across the United States and Canada. Together, they recorded 616 species and submitted more than 80,000 checklists--33 percent more than the previous high of 61,000 checklists in 2000. The GBBC, a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, engages people of all ages and levels of experience in learning about birds and reporting their sightings for conservation.

"There has never been a more detailed snapshot of continental bird distribution in history," said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "It used to take scientists years to gather large-scale information about bird population and distribution--and the GBBC does it in just four days each year, thanks to a continent-wide community of birders reporting their counts online."

Along with collecting valuable data, the count also gathers new and vital support for the environment. "This record-breaking turnout is proof of a powerful formula--birds plus fun equals a lifelong connection to nature," said Audubon president John Flicker. "It turns kids, parents and grandparents into more than citizen scientists; it helps make them citizen stewards for the health of our planet."

American Robins topped the list as the most numerous species counted, with more than two million robins reported from 60 states and provinces. Participant Lorraine Margeson counted a flock of 750,000 robins roosting in a mangrove forest in St. Petersburg, Florida. "In the morning, the robins just pour out of there," she observed. "It's spectacular with the sunrise on their red bellies. When you see it, you think this is what makes life worth living."

This year's rare birds included five Lesser Prairie-Chickens in Oklahoma and two Pink-footed Geese in Rhode Island, first records for the GBBC.

Participants also submitted more than 4,000 bird photos. The GBBC online photo gallery shows images from across the continent, including a Rock Pigeon perched high above New York City, and a pink Roseate Spoonbill taking flight in Houston, Texas.

Full results of the count are available online at www.birdcount.org. Visitors can see what birds were reported in their own town or across the continent, and explore dynamic maps showing how bird distribution and abundance have changed during 10 years of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Results of the bird count in the North Branch area:

Ring-necked Pheasant 6
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Rock Pigeon 117
Mourning Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 11
Hairy Woodpecker 8
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 13
American Crow 16
Black-capped Chickadee 18
Horned Lark 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 14
European Starling 3
American Tree Sparrow 38
Dark-eyed Junco 30
Northern Cardinal 12
Rusty Blackbird 2
Purple Finch 44
House Finch 6
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 181
Total 544

A total of 23 species were reported.