1,2,3,4…counting every one. That’s what we do around this time of the year. We are getting ready for our annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
On Saturday, December 14th, our hearty volunteer members go out to count the number of birds, individuals and species, they see that day. Why do we do this? Well, there is some history to this event that you might enjoy hearing about.
Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt.” They would choose sides and go afield with their guns and whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) specimens won. How awful in today’s standards!
Thank goodness that has changed! Beginning on Christmas Day in 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman proposed a new holiday tradition, a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holiday rather than killing them.
Each year at this time, birders throughout the world interested in participating in the CBC start signing up and planning the Census.
Our chapter is led by Ed Bowes who is now organizing the teams to cover our area on December 14th. We can always use volunteers to cover our local area effectively. We also enjoy a pizza party at the end of the day to share our results and socialize. You can be a part of this wonderful citizen science project by contacting Ed Bowes via email at: Eddie_Ruth@msn.com
Who will find the most birds? The most species? The most unusual? Let’s find out on the 14th!
— Ellen Lynch