If you want to have a fun project for the family, try signing up on line for the Backyard Bird Count.

Basically, you are tallying up the birds you see in your back yard for a 4 day period for as little as 15 min a day. By doing this, you help ornithologists get a real-time snapshot for worldwide statistics.

To make it easy, buy a birdfeeder (that has a squirrel and kitty cat preventer), and place it near your most visited window. You will be amazed at the array of birds in your own backyard.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.