ELDORADO HILLS – To extend his study in high school advanced placement classes to his love of golf, El Dorado Hills student Zachary Nicholson has created a free, easy, and brief opportunity for golfers to be a part of a global event.
In golf, the best shots under par have names like birdie, eagle, and albatross, which are elusive to every golfer as they strive to lower their score in the fewest strokes as possible at each hole. Whether or not golfers can count these bird names in their golf game, they are invited to count them and more for the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 16-19, 2024.
Nicholson is inviting golfers of any age to spend just 15 minutes any of the four days noting any birds on their course of choice and logging them at https://www.birdcount.org/ or https://www.birdcount.org/es/ en español.
The Great Backyard Bird Count in partnership with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, The National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada have been collecting these observations for decades to help scientists better understand global bird populations around the world before one of their annual migrations.
“I created The Birdie to Birdie Project to bring awareness to this meaningful, free, and world-wide event, give a peaceful start or end to a round of golf, and contribute to the understanding of global migrations,” said Nicholson. Observations can be done from anywhere around the world, whether on a golf course or not. No experience in bird watching or golf is required, just a curious nature, according to a recent press release from the project.
The Birdie to Birdie Project was founded in 2023 by Nicholson, an 11th grader at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, CA. Zachary is an AP Environmental Science student and is inspired by his family’s love of birds. Zachary is also a member of First Tee – Greater Sacramento and the Oak Ridge High School Men’s Golf Team. The Birdie to Birdie Project and The Great Backyard Bird Count are accessible, inclusive, and family friendly.
