The count is part of a global bird count Friday through Monday when bird watchers will work to create a real-time snapshot of populations.

It might be Valentine’s Day – but this weekend is for more than just love birds. The Great Backyard Bird Count is back. Between Feb. 14 and 17, the event invites nature enthusiasts around the world to watch and count as many birds as they can in their “favorite places.

But you don't have to attend a get-together to show your fandom for feathers; you can simply participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count when you have a few minutes to spare. And we do mean "a few minutes": The annual science-helping event,

If you have at least 15 minutes to spare between February 14 and February 17, you can take part in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, a global effort organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Audubon Society,