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By LeAnn Askins

JONESBORO -- Ever seen a ruddy duck? How about an American kestrel, Eurasian collared-dove or Carolina wren?

There are at least one of each in Jonesboro, according to The Great Backyard Bird Count.

The count, which took place during four days in February, gives amateurs and expert birders alike the opportunity to explore their own communities while also providing valuable information to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, sponsors of the annual event.

Among the 42 participants in Jonesboro was Erin Macchia, a doctoral student in environmental sciences at ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

This was Macchia's first year to participate in the count, but she is active in other projects involving birds.

"They try to make it as user-friendly as possible," she said of The Great Backyard Bird Count.

She explained that the count is very easy, allowing anyone to participate. All it takes is staying in one place for at least 15 minutes and noting the birds that are seen. The count can take place on a trip or simply by watching bird feeders.

"I only observed birds in my backyard," she said.

While there were some surprising counts in the country and state, according to the Web site involving the project, Macchia said she was surprised by what she found.

"In my backyard it was pretty much what I thought it would be."

She noted that results vary depending on the location that the volunteer observed.

Macchia said she was surprised that the count for Jonesboro only includes two red-tailed hawks, a bird that is usually seen in abundance in the winter in this area.

"The most popular bird to be reported was the American robin," she said.

According to the count, 233 of the birds were observed on eight separate checklists in Jonesboro.

Macchia said it is important for "citizen scientists" to be involved in these types of counts. Even people with a simple interest in birds should become more involved, she contended.

"There is definitely a need for it," Macchia added, noting that the practice is very common in Europe.

The doctoral student explained that researchers can't be in every location that needs to be observed, and that's where local residents can step in.

The counts give hints of bird cycles and movements. A major concern at ASU and throughout the world is conservation.

"Most of us are aware of it and we contribute where we can," she said. "This is really a good way to do it."

Macchia said she often meets birders who would like to participate in research or a study, but don't know how. There are a number of ways, she said, citing ebird.org, which offers a list in which interested individuals can participate throughout the year. The count in which Macchia participated was for winter.

"It's good that people are aware of this," she said, "but it's even more important that they use it."

leann@jonesborosun.com