Many birders enjoy keeping a yard list of the species that visit their property, and there are many ways to have fun with this type of listing. From simple record keeping to using personal data to attract more birds to sharing data with larger citizen science projects, a yard list can be a great tool and very enjoyable.

Defining Your Yard

Before starting a yard list, where and what is your yard? Every birder’s yard is different, and every birder may view their yard differently when it comes to listing the birds that visit. While a yard may be defined as a piece of property within a delineated area, birds don’t recognize or respect property lines. Popular options for how to define a yard when listing birds include…

• Fences may or may not be counted as part of a yard, depending on how a bird may land on the fence, if feeders are attached to the fence, etc.
• Neighbors’ trees and landscaping may be included in a yard, if branches extends over the property line or if property lines are not clear.
• Both front and back yards, as well as side yards or alleys, are often considered part of the full yard for listing and counting purposes.
• Any area that can be observed from one’s yard might become part of a larger “yard” concept for listing, including airspace above the yard for soaring birds.

In the end, because a yard list is a casual, fun option, each birder can define their yard as they see fit. If records or sightings are submitted for official purposes, however, such as when participating in organized counts or reporting rare bird sightings, the yard and property definitions of those official organizations should be used so there is no confusion.

What Yard Birds Count

Just like defining a yard, exactly how to count yard birds varies and every birder may have different criteria for adding a new species to the yard list. While just appearing in the yard, no matter when or how, is often enough, more elaborate methods for including birds on the yard list may include…

• Visitors to feeders, baths, or houses only, including natural food or water sources in the yard
• Only birds that repeatedly visit the yard, proving they are not accidental guests
• Birds that spend a minimum amount of time in the yard rather than just passing through
• Only wild birds, excluding escaped pets, domestic varieties, or feral birds

No matter what qualifications a birder decides on for listing yard birds, easy, common backyard birds are typically listed first. As the list grows, it can become a stimulating challenge to attract new birds to continue increasing the count.

Using Your Yard Bird List

A yard list can be much more than just a record of birds that have visited a specific property. With a little bit of application, it can become a powerful tool.

• Use a yard list to note spring and fall migration timing in order to prepare for seasonal changes, such as adjusting food sources to meet migrants’ needs or knowing when to put out bird houses or put up hummingbird feeders.
• Note long term population shifts, including irregular irruptions or rare bird sightings. This can help when making adjustments to landscaping, feeder types, and foods offered to better meet birds’ needs without wasted effort.
• Work each year to make the yard more bird-friendly with appropriate landscaping, water sources, additional feeding stations, and other features that can attract a greater range of species to enjoy and to increase the list.
• Participate in ongoing citizen science projects such as Project FeederWatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count so data can be correlated with other yards to be of greater use to ornithologists, general wildlife study, and bird conservation.

Most importantly, a yard list can help any birder better enjoy their flock. As we become more familiar with the birds in our own yards, we learn more about them and can better appreciate their diversity, personalities, and the characteristics that first sparked our birding interest.