The 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is from Friday, Feb. 12, through Monday, Feb. 15. A list of the birds seen in backyards helps scientists learn more about how birds are faring in neighborhoods.

More people participating in the GBBC means better information about how bird populations may be changing over time due to habitat loss, climate change, disease, or other factors, says the Audubon Society.

Everyone who submits a bird checklist during the GBBC automatically is entered in a drawing for bird-related items donated by Wild Birds Unlimited, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, Woodlink, Droll Yankees and DK Publishing.

How to get ready

n Visit the GBBC Web page – www.birdsource.org/gbbc — on identifying sparrows so you can distinguish one "little brown bird" from another.

n Print a regional checklist so you know what to look for.

n Review the answers to the GBBC’s Frequently Asked Questions to refresh your memory about how to do the count.

To download any of these items, go to birdsource.org. Enter Great Backyard Bird Count at the bottom of the page to get to the information about the count and to see the prizes offered.

For more information about counting birds in the Sequim area, contact www.dungenessrivercenter.org.