Great Backyard Bird Count

Staunton River Battlefield has a wide variety of habitats such as rivers, woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands that offer an abundance of bird species. Help us participate in this Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) hosted by the Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds of Canada. This yearly international event connects millions of people to observe and document bird species, thus helping scientists track bird populations and migration.

Join a ranger for a guided walk where we will identify and record all species we find along the way. You do not need to be an experienced bird watcher, participating is easy and fun. We will be using a birding identification app to identify birds by their sound. You can download an app of your choice or simply follow along. If this is something you have never done before, you will find it is a great way to identify and learn about birds. 

If you would rather explore our park on your own during the GBBC, stop by the Clover Center for a free guide that will outline the following steps for participation in detail that can be brought along with you on your search.

Step 1: Grab a Trail Guide and decide where you will watch birds.
Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 13-16, 2026.
Step 3: Identify all birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings. 

Make sure you dress for the weather and bring water. If you have binoculars, please bring them; if not, we have a limited number of binoculars available to borrow.

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