Bird's-eye view

Gardeners will be front and center in the effort to tally Maryland's winged population

Said Saffier: "Tidy gardens don't have the highest wildlife value."

count yourself in

Here's how to participate in the 12th annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

* Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more of the days of the count, Friday-Feb. 16. You can count for longer than 15 minutes or, after counting the birds in your backyard, move to a park or some other spot to count. File a different report for each count.

* The best time to count is early morning or late afternoon, when the birds are feeding.

* Count the greatest number of individuals that you see together at one time. Go to www.birdsource.org/gbbc to get a checklist of the winter birds in your area and a data form on which to record the counts. The Web site also has more information on how to count the birds overhead or in a flock.

* To attract as many species to your backyard as possible, begin putting out a variety of foods to tempt them several days before the count: seed, suet, fruit and peanuts. And make sure there is water.

* After counting, go to www.birdsource.org/gbbc and click "submit your bird checklist."

* Go to the site often during the weekend and you will see the reporting maps change as counts flow in.