STATEWIDE — People across Maine are asked to take a break this winter and look out their windows during the Great Backyard Bird Count, taking place Feb. 15-18.

The annual Great Backyard Bird Count is the perfect opportunity for participants to relax and enjoy nature wherever they are while being part of a very important study that helps better define bird ranges, populations, migration pathways and habitat needs.

And this year, the count is going global with the integration of E-Bird, the worldwide bird data collection program.

“This means that anyone, anywhere in the world can participate in this year’s count,” said Laura Turner, one of the GBBC ambassadors and owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in South Portland. “The count is to study larger population trends, and the more checklists submitted, the more accurate a picture we get.”

Although it’s called the Great “Backyard” Bird Count, the count extends well beyond backyards. Many participants choose to head for national parks, nature centers, urban parks, even ski resorts. Anyone can participate in this free event. Participants watch and count birds for at least 15 minutes on any or all days of the count, then enter their results online at www.birdcount.org.

Last year, a record-breaking 104,151 checklists were submitted with bird counters identifying 623 species in the United States and Canada. Maine participants submitted 1,733 checklists reporting 106 different species.

For more information visit www.birdcount.org. Participants are also welcome to pick up bird count worksheets, ask questions and submit checklists to Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop of South Portland, 771-2473.