In 2002, Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology created eBird as a way to keep track of bird populations through the reports of birdwatchers across North America.  It is now one of the biggest and fastest growing bird data sources.  For example, in 2006, participants reported more than 4.3 million bird observations across North America.

In 2009, we launched My Yard eBird to make it even easier for you to keep track of the birds in your yard and neighborhood.  My Yard eBird takes the power of regular eBird, and makes it more accessible if you aren't a huge "bird nerd"! 

Bird sightings from your own yard can now be added to the database created by a global community of educators, land managers, ornithologists, and conservation biologists. These combined data are creating the foundation for a better understanding of bird distribution across the Western Hemisphere and beyond.

How does it work?

My Yard eBird allows you to report the birds you see in your yard and neighborhood.  A simple and intuitive web-interface engages tens of thousands of participants to submit their observations and view, graph, or map the results from their yards or local areas. 

To record your bird sightings in My Yard eBird, you simply enter the number of each bird seen in your yard.  There are more advanced ways to count the birds, and you can report them from other locations as well.  But to get started, all you have to do is locate your yard on a map and enter the number of each species you see.  

Where do your sightings go?

My Yard eBird collects sightings from backyard birdwatchers, school groups, and others from across North America.  Your bird sightings go into the larger eBird database, joining observations entered by birders through portals managed and maintained by local partner conservation organizations. The bird sightings are stored and backed up on servers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, but all sightings are available to the submitters and to the public. 

Data accessibility

eBird data are stored in a secure facility and archived daily, and are accessible to anyone via the eBird web site and other applications developed by the global biodiversity information community. My Yard eBird will automatically keep a list of all the birds you see on your property, and track how abundant each species is from week to week, month to month, year to year, and even decade to decade.  Bird sightings reported by others in your area are also available so you can see how abundant each species is in your state, county, or local park.

(Red-headed Woodpecker photo by Mike Smith)