ORD – The Lower Loup NRD Information & Education department is hosting the Great Backyard Bird Count on Saturday, Feb. 17, in the LLNRD Arboretum in Ord.
In the event founded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society in 1997, participants are encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes watching birds and recording the species and the number of each species seen. More than 332,000 people in 253 countries documented 7,727 bird species during the 2023 event.
This will be the third annual Great Backyard Bird Count for the Lower Loup NRD. As in years past, free coffee and hot chocolate will be available. Attendees are encouraged to explore the Arboretum, the Ord Hike-Bike Trail, and nearby Bussell Park and the Auble’s Pond area.
Birdwatchers of all skill levels, including people brand new to the hobby, are welcome and will be provided with tracking forms on which to document bird species and the number counted.
Attendees are encouraged to begin at the wooden shelter at the northwest corner of the Arboretum and explore at their own pace. The event will run from 10 a.m. until noon.
New for this year’s event, LLNRD Information Specialist Brant Bechtold – himself an expert birder – will lead a guided bird walk lasting from 30 to 45 minutes. The guided bird walk will begin at 11 a.m. and depart from the Arboretum shelter.
Questions can be directed to Information and Education Coordinator Alan Bartels at (308) 728-3221
