Unlock your inner bird enthusiast and spot who may just be flying through sky by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

River Legacy Nature Center, the Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve, the O.S. Gray Natural Area, and the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden are some of the sites across The American Dream City hosting free community events that day.

The Friends of the Sheri Capehart Nature Preserve will host its event from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the southwest Arlington park, located at 5201 S. Bowman Springs Blvd. Participants can meet in the parking lot before starting the count. All skill levels are welcome. Participants are invited to bring binoculars and wear comfortable clothing, said volunteer Jim Frisinger, who has participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count for eight years. Frisinger, whose favorite bird is the Kinglet, said participants can also download the Merlin app ahead of time to help identify birds by sound. Click here to learn more.

The River Legacy Nature Center, 703 NW. Green Oaks Blvd. in North Arlington, is holding its event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will offer specimen tables, DIY bird feeders, observation stations, children’s activities, and guided family walks. Click here to learn more.

The Friends of the O.S. Gray Natural Area, 2021 W. Abram St. near Downtown Arlington, will be hosting its event starting at 7 a.m. At this event, expected to last about two hours, bird watchers can take a walk with a bird expert along the tree-lined trails listening for bird sounds and keeping watch for any bird flying by while enjoying the sunrise, said Kevin Donovan with the Friends of the O.S. Gray Natural Area. Click here to visit the Facebook page to learn more.

The Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden in West Arlington will also host a volunteer day and educational program from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to coincide with the bird count. The presentation, “Attracting Birds to Your Landscape, will start at 9:30 a.m. Afterward, attendees can help with the garden maintenance or explore the 2.75-acre site to spot birds. The garden is located at 5500 Lake Arlington Drive. Click here to learn more and sign up for the event.

If you cannot attend any of these events, don’t worry, you can even participate from your own backyard. If you are new to bird watching, you can download the free app Merlin Bird ID to record the birds you see. If you are familiar with bird identification, you can use the free eBird app which allows you to upload your lists. For information about the Great Backyard Bird Count and how to participate from your own backyard visit https://www.birdcount.org/.

Last year there were 555,000 participants from 202 countries and 7,538 species were recorded, according to the Great Backyard Bird Count. Dig deep and reach into your inner enthusiast and help identify our winged friends.