Dec 2, 2007 column by Toledo Blade outdoor writer Steve Pollick titled Christmas bird count will draw on citizen scientists :
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. The
Count began on Christmas Day, 1900, initiated by scientist-writer
Frank Chapman.
Organizations such as the Toledo Naturalists’ Association conduct some 2,000 counts across much of the Americas and beyond during the count cycle. They then submit their results to Audubon for compilations that help show trends in bird numbers and distribution. The CBC thus can be pictured as a puzzle with more than 2,000 pieces, each piece representing a local count within an established 15-mile-diameter circle. The data-collecting component to the CBC has led Audubon and other ornithological organizations to label count participants as citizen scientists.
Those unable to go afield but wanting to participate can
maintain a list of
birds coming to their backyard feeding stations, and submit them to Matt Anderson at
Matt_Anderson@andersonsinc.com.
Area counts :
- Toledo - Dec 16
- Freemont - Dec 16 ( Black Swamp Bird Observatory )
- Rudolph - Dec 23
- Grand Rapids/Waterville - Jan 5
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge - Jan 5
Cost is $5.00 per person.
Observers pay a $5 fee (except feeder watchers, U.S. and Canadian participants under 19 years old, members of Bird Studies Canada, and Latin Americans in their home countries). The fee supports compilation and publication of the data. U.S. participants who pay or who are 18 or under receive a copy of the issue of American Birds that summarizes the results and includes articles on trends and regions.
Excerpts from a Dec 11, 2007 posting by Matt Anderson at the Toledo Naturalists message board :
Many of you may already are aware that the Toledo Christmas Bird Count will be held this Sunday, December 16. We are fortunate to be part of one of the most productive count circles within the state of Ohio. Last year, we had the highest species list (90) of any count in the state. Many of us long-time birders look to the year when all of the pieces fall into place and we tally 100 or more species -- something that's never been done on any Ohio count. To reach this milestone, we not only need the birds to cooperate, but so too the birders. The more eyes and ears in the field (or for that matter scoping feeders), the better our chance for a big list.
For the Toledo CBC Dec 16 :
As many counters as possible will meet for breakfast at 6:30am at the Denny's on Buck Road off I-75 for pre-count banter and assignments. There will also be a post-count gathering to trade stories and compile the master list at the Tony Packo's on Front Street starting at around 5:15pm or as groups straggle in.
For the Freemont CBC Dec 16 :
BSBO and count compiler, Paul Sherwood, join forces with the
Ohio Young Birders Club and
Green Creek Wildlife Society to conduct this long running CBC. We will meet at 7:00 AM at Rudy's Restaurant, at 600 E. State Street, in downtown Fremont, Ohio to assign areas, and afterward we'll meet at the Pickerel Creek Lodge for a Compilation Pizza Party.
So if you've never done something like this before, can you be matched with someone who has?
posted by MaggieThurber on Dec 12, 2007 at 10:49:01 am #