Citizen science project collects data about birds in the Coulee Region

GENOA, Wis. (WKBT) – While you might expect an area Fish Hatchery to talk about fish, on Saturday it offered something for the birds.

Genoa National Fish Hatchery and the Coulee Region Audubon Society hosted a bird count hike.

It’s part of the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is a citizen science project.

It’s geared toward getting people exposed to birding while collecting data.

Scientists use the information to determine how different species are doing.

The hatchery has a wide variety of birds in the winter, including Bald Eagles, Belted Kingfishers, and Wilson’s Snipe.

The hike is giving people a chance to learn about wildlife in our region.

“I think birds are very charismatic animals, they are also something people can see and be familiar with, regardless of where they are,” said Raena Parsons, Education Specialist, Genoa National Fish Hatchery.

People can take part in the project right from home.

If you have a bird feeder count how many birds stop by for 15 minutes

Then visit WWW.GBBC.BIRDCOUNT.ORG to enter the data you collected.

The Great Backyard Bird Count goes until February 17th.

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