Photo by Steve Schulwitz This is a screenshot from the Merlin Bird ID app. The app can be used to help people during The Great Backyard Bird Count.

The Thunder Bay Audubon Society is urging people to participate in the The Great Backyard Bird Count.

Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.

Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.

Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days,from Feb. 13-16.

Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time and location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:

People who are new to admiring birds and bird identification, can use the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify what type of birds you are seeing or hearing.

People who have participated in the count before and want to record the numbers of birds, try the eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website.