Wanted: Citizen Scientists for The Christmas Bird Count

"What is billed as the longest running wildlife census in the world, the annual Christmas Bird Count of the National Audubon Society, is to be conducted across much of the Western Hemisphere between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5.

This annual recreational tallying of bird species and numbers is a fine opportunity for newcomers to rub elbows during a day afield with seasoned naturalists and become quickly grounded in this popular pastime....

“Each of the citizen scientists who braves snow, ice, wind, or rain to take part in the Christmas Bird Count is making an enormous contribution to conservation,” said Geoff LeBaron, Audubon’s CBC director. “Counting is the first step in learning how environmental threats are affecting our birds, and in helping to protect them.”...

The Count began on Christmas Day, 1900, initiated by scientist-writer Frank Chapman and included 27 conservationists in 25 localities. Chapman’s idea was to create an alternative to the then-acceptable practice of the “side hunt,” in which teams tried to shoot the most birds and mammals....

Last year nearly 70 million birds were counted by a record number of participants, nearly 58,000. Counts were conducted in all 50 states, all the Canadian provinces, parts of Central America and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies, and some Pacific Islands."

- from Steve Pollick's article on the annual bird count for the Toledo Blade site. You can read the rest of the article here.
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Got birds?

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Links:

Christmas Bird Count- Get Involved

Citizen Science

A Beginners Experience on the Christmas Bird Count

Gaia's Guardians

Art: Wizard of the Owls by Janny Wurts
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