What is eBird?
eBird is a real-time, online checklist program that the birding community reports and accesses information about birds. eBird provides rich data sources for basic information on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.
eBird’s goal is to maximize the utility and accessibility of the vast numbers of bird observations made each year by recreational and professional bird watchers. The observations of each participant join those of others in an international network of eBird users. eBird then shares these observations with a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, and conservation biologists. In time these data will become the foundation for a better understanding of bird distribution across the western hemisphere and beyond.
I personally use eBird to track and keep lists of the birds I’ve seen. When I’m traveling I use eBird to give me clues of which birds are in that area that I don’t see on and near Seabrook Island.
How can I learn to use eBird?
Cornell Labs has recently released eBird Essentials: A Free Introductory Course. If you’re not already using eBird to track bird sightings and participate as a citizen scientist, their brand new eBird Essentials course will show you how. It is a self-paced, free course designed to help you use the program, search for birds in your area, and explore case studies about how eBird is contributing to the scientific community and conservation efforts.
Is there someone locally that can help me use eBird?
Seabrook Island Birders will be offering a seminar in January on how to use eBird. If you are interested in attending this seminar, register here. The date and time will be scheduled once it is known who is interested and the best time for those who have registered.
Submitted by: Judy Morr
Photo by: Cerulean Warbler by Andrew Simon / Macaulay Library
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SIB 
Excellent article Judy! Thank you!
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