On February 15th, 2025, River Legacy Nature Center hosted our annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) event, and what a turnout we had! With 154 attendees—double last year’s numbers—our nature-loving community came together to celebrate birds, learn about conservation, and contribute to global citizen science.

This event wasn’t just about counting birds; it was about fostering a love for nature, sparking curiosity, and connecting people of all ages with the vibrant bird species that call our area home. From eager young families experiencing their first-ever birding adventure to seasoned birders meticulously recording species, we saw an incredible mix of participants helping to contribute to this important international effort.

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What is the Great Backyard Bird Count?

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a global event that engages people in birdwatching while gathering crucial data to help researchers track bird populations, migration patterns, and conservation needs. Organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, this four-day annual event invites people worldwide to document birds in their own backyards, parks, and nature reserves.

This year’s GBBC (February 14–17, 2025) saw over 232,000 eBird checklists submitted across 208 countries, helping document an astounding 7,761 bird species worldwide! These observations provide vital scientific data that help conservationists understand bird populations, migration trends, and environmental changes impacting birds globally.

At River Legacy Nature Center, we held our annual free event open to the public on February 15th. Our guests counted 42 bird species at our bird blind alone! From the majestic Great Egret gliding over the wetlands to the tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet flitting through the trees, our visitors were able to witness and document an incredible variety of bird species.

A Day Full of Birding Adventures

Managed by River Legacy Naturalist, Jorge Garcia, we went all out this year to create an immersive, educational, and fun experience for everyone. Throughout the event, attendees were able to engage with hands-on activities, participate in bird hikes, and interact with our knowledgeable naturalists and volunteers.

Here’s a look at what made this year’s GBBC at River Legacy Nature Center so much fun for families:

Educational Activity Stations

We set up a variety of interactive stations both inside and outside the Nature Center, providing participants with hands-on learning experiences related to bird biology, conservation, and identification. Some of the highlights include building a birdhouse, bird nest displays, bird observation stations, bird diversity throughout the state of Texas, bird hikes, a live bird presentation and so much more.

Who Attended?

One of the most rewarding aspects of this year’s event was the diverse mix of participants. From families with young children just beginning their birdwatching journey to experienced birders recording species, it was a true community event.

Our volunteers played an essential role in guiding participants, answering questions, and helping beginners feel more confident in identifying birds. Many children left the event inspired, with newfound enthusiasm for birds and nature.

A special thank you goes out to our incredible volunteers who helped make this event both educational and engaging. Your passion and dedication are what make River Legacy events so successful!

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Birds Spotted at River Legacy

Thanks to our bird blind observation station, visitors were able to record an impressive variety of bird species, contributing valuable data to the global count. Some of the highlights included:

✅ Great Egret
✅ Pied-billed Grebe
✅ Mallard (males and females)
✅ Cedar Waxwing (25 counted!)
✅ American Robin (15 counted!)
✅ Cooper’s Hawk
✅ Turkey Vulture
✅ American Crow
✅ Northern Cardinal (at one time, we saw 8 males and 5 females!)
✅ Blue Jay
✅ Bewick’s Wren
✅ Eastern Phoebe
✅ Tufted Titmouse
✅ Carolina Chickadee
✅ House Finch
✅ Song Sparrow
✅ Harris’s Sparrow
✅ Downy Woodpecker
✅ Red-bellied Woodpecker
✅ Brown Thrasher
✅ Ruby-crowned Kinglet
✅ White-winged Dove
✅ Mourning Dove
✅ Brown Creeper
✅ Red-winged Blackbird
✅ American Goldfinch
✅ White-throated Sparrow
✅ Golden-crowned Kinglet
✅ Spotted Towhee

With 42 species recorded at our bird blind alone, this year’s count provided a fantastic snapshot of the bird diversity in our local ecosystem.

Looking Ahead: GBBC 2026

If you missed this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count, don’t worry! We’re already planning for next year’s event, happening February 13–16, 2026 globally. Visit our website’s calendar later this year for when River Legacy’s date is scheduled!

In the meantime, we encourage you to keep birdwatching in your backyard or local parks, recording your sightings on eBird and using the Merlin Bird ID app to enhance your knowledge.

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Share Your Photos!

Were you at this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count at River Legacy? We’d love to see your favorite moments from the event! Tag us on Instagram (@RLNatureCenter) or send us your photos so we can feature them on our social media!

We can’t wait to see what incredible birds you spotted!

Final Thoughts

The Great Backyard Bird Count at River Legacy Nature Center is more than just an event—it’s a global movement. It connects people to nature, conservation, and the wonders of birding while contributing to valuable scientific research.

This year’s event was a huge success, and we’re grateful to everyone who participated, volunteered, and helped make it happen. Together, we’re making a difference—one bird at a time.

See you next year!