Things I Love - Great Backyard Birding Count 2025
- Yolandi Botes
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
The Great Backyard Bird Count 2025: A Celebration of Birds, Nature, and Community
Every February, nature lovers and bird enthusiasts from around the world come together for a truly special event - the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).
This year, from February 14 - 17, its time to step outside, observe birds, and contribute to a global effort that helps better understand and protect these fascinating creatures.
A Community-Driven Birding Experience
The Go - To Guy Potchefstroom, through Greentalk, is taking part in this year’s GBBC with its own dedicated WhatsApp group.
With over 100 enthusiastic followers, the group has been notified about the event and provided with a shared checklist to track species spotted in various regions.
This initiative isn’t about formal scientific data collection but rather a passion for nature and birding. By observing and logging bird species, participants can notice trends and distribution patterns by contributing to the initiative.
Why Participate in GBBC?
Birds are everywhere, all the time, going about their daily lives in ways that can surprise and delight us. Whether they’re soaring high above or hopping along your backyard feeder, each sighting tells a story.
The GBBC provides an opportunity to connect with nature, explore your surroundings, and become a contributor to real data that helps track bird populations, whereabouts and migration patterns.
A Nationwide Collaboration
One of the unique aspects of this WhatsApp group is the diverse participation from individuals across the country.
Members not only share their birdwatching experiences but also post about various wildlife sightings, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.
This widespread involvement ensures that bird data is collected from multiple locations, offering a broader perspective on bird activity across South Africa.
How to Join the Count
Participation in the GBBC is simple and flexible. Whether you’re an experienced birder or a beginner just learning to recognize local species, here’s how you can take part:
Pick Your Spot – You can count birds from anywhere: your backyard, a local park, a nature reserve, or a bird sanctuary.
Observe and Identify – Spend time watching the birds around you. Count how many you see of each species and take notes on their behavior.
Submit Your Data – Record your sightings - each checklist you submit contributes to a national snapshot of bird populations.
Four Days of Birdwatching Excitement
The GBBC runs over four days, allowing participants ample time to explore different spots and document sightings of multiple species in their natural habitats.
Whether in urban parks, forests, nature reserves or backyards, every observation contributes to a collective record of birdlife during the event.
A Fun Competition with Prizes
To make the experience even more exciting, a prize package has been set up for the participant who records the most bird species during the GBBC, from February 14 - 17.
It’s a great incentive to encourage engagement and friendly competition among birding enthusiasts.
Share Your Birding Experience
The GBBC isn’t just about counting birds - it’s about building connections. It’s a chance to share the joy of birding with family, friends, and fellow nature lovers.
If you’re part of a local birding group, consider adding your event to the GBBC map so others can join in.
Photographers and nature lovers alike can showcase their GBBC moments by sharing photos of birds and birdwatchers in action.
Whether it’s a stunning close-up of a weaver, a majestic eagle in flight, or a snapshot of your birding adventure, your images help celebrate the wonder of birds.
Get Ready for GBBC 2025
Before the count begins, take some time to familiarize yourself with local bird species using a birding book or a birding app.
Whether you’re watching birds from your kitchen window or trekking through a nature reserve, your participation makes a difference.
So grab your binoculars, step outside, and join the world in celebrating birds this February. Happy birding!
Simply click here to join our group on WhatsApp: Click Here
About The Author
Kyle Grobler is a passionate environmentalist and esteemed field guide from Potchefstroom. With an unparalleled love for nature, he boasts a vast collection of over 40,000 photos, illustrating his particular affinity for birds.
Known by many as the embodiment of a true bushman, Kyle has ventured through various South African game reserves and frequently explores the Vaal River's hidden treasures. As a new contributor to the Potch Gazette's environmental page, readers can anticipate immersive tales of Potchefstroom's natural wonders through Kyle's expert lens.
To see more from Kyle and his bush experiences you can also view his Youtube Channel here: Kyle Grobler Photography
More Bird Stories
For more articles about birds you can click on the links below, there are so many great birds living amongst us to discover and learn about as they play a major role in nature as we see it today.
Southern Ground Hornbill: Click Here
Secretary Bird: Click Here
Crucial Role of Birds Within Ecosystems: Click Here
African Crowned Eagle: Click Here
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Grey Headed Gull: Click Here
Red - Billed Oxpecker: Click Here
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