Xtra! extra! backyard birding many schools, families, and young birders across the country participate in the "great backyard bird count." while not as long as a "big year," the "great backyard bird count" happens every year. it depends on birders and families across the country to watch feeders and other areas in their yards and count the number of birds they see. unlike the "big year," the goal is not to see who can count the most birds. instead, participants in this event work together to bird experts get a good idea of how birds are doing. participants are given checklists and enter their sightings on a website. called a "citizen-science" project, this event is open to anyone, requires no travel, and happens every year over one weekend in february. what is the main idea of the "extra! extra! " section of the article? some birding contests are for everyone. backyard birding is fun and interesting. all birding us learn about birds. everyone should be a birder.