Christmas Bird Count

It's safe to say that many have found themselves firmly planted in the midst of a whirlwind of holiday festivities. Let's let the dust settle for a moment, and turn our minds toward a less frenzied, yet equally important aspect of the holiday season. The Christmas Bird Count is an early-winter bird census, an annual tradition that has evolved into a unified effort to prevent further decline in the bird population. This year 's program, which is sponsored by the National Audubon Society, took flight on December 14th, 2010, and will continue until January 5th, 2011. During this period, volunteers are asked to follow a specified route within a “count circle”, and make note of each bird that is seen or heard throughout the day. If a volunteer happens to live within a count circle, they have the opportunity to simply observe and make note of birds that visit their feeder.

Data collected from the Christmas Bird Count provides conservation biologists with essential information regarding our environment. Past observation on patterns of movement among the bird population, has revealed the harsh effects of climate change that has extended to birds and their habitat. The information is relevant to the human population as well, since data can reveal critical threats to the environment such as groundwater contamination or the improper use of pesticide.

The Christmas Bird Count is a great opportunity to embody the true holiday spirit: the gift of giving. Give your time, attention, and efforts to conserve and protect the wildlife that is an essential part of our natural habitat. For more information regarding the CBC in your area, visit the National Audubon Website.