HOPKINS -- Would you like to learn to identify some of South Carolina's winter birds and help collect scientific data? Then head to Congaree National Park in Hopkins for the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count programs.

The Old-Growth Bottomland Forest Research and Education Center at Congaree National Park and the Friends of Congaree Swamp are holding several birding programs as part of this year's Great Backyard Bird Count, an international effort to identify and count birds across the continent on Feb. 12-15. Count results present a snapshot of bird populations across North America and allow scientists to monitor changes through the years. Last year, citizen scientists across North America counted 11,558,638 individual birds representing 620 species.

This year's programs at Congaree National Park include:

-- Saturday, Feb. 6 -- Birding Basics Workshop. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Group leaders will give a presentation on common winter birds found in Congaree National Park before heading out on a "Boardwalk Birdwalk" to practice identification skills.

-- Saturday, Feb. 13 -- Great Backyard Bird Count Program 1. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Group leaders will give a presentation on the common winter birds found in Congaree National Park before heading out on the boardwalk to identify and count birds as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

-- Saturday, Feb. 13 -- Great Backyard Bird Count Program 2. Noon-3 p.m. Group leaders will give a presentation on the common winter birds found in Congaree National Park before heading out on the Bluff Trail to identify and count birds as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

No prior experience is required to participate in these free programs, which are open to all visitors 5 years of age and older. Children younger than 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

Participants should plan to meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center 15 minutes prior to the start of each program. Participants should wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. A water bottle and snack are also recommended. Visitors and volunteers are encouraged to bring binoculars. The park has a limited number of binoculars available for use; these may be reserved ahead of time, or will be available on a first-come, first-served basis during the program.

Advanced registration is required. To register, call the Harry Hampton Visitor Center at 803-776-4396, ext. 0, or stop by the front desk. For maps and more information about Congaree National Park, visit nps.gov/cong.

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