The Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and the Audubon society invites everyone to participate in its annual Christmas Bird Count. The 2017 count will take place at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, December 16th. Meet at the Visitor Center at 7 am.
You will be assigned to a team. You may volunteer for half a day or all day. Bring binoculars, water, and snacks. Teams will drive to an assigned sector. Email friendsofhagerman@gmail.com to sign up. At the end of the count, a social time and supper will be sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman at 5 pm.
The Audubon Society describes this event as the nation’s longest running citizen science bird project. The count, which began in 1900 as a replacement for the tradition of bird hunting on Christmas Day, provides important data about the state of the bird population throughout the world. To date, over 200 peer-reviewed articles have resulted from analysis of the data gathered, and federal agencies use the data in decision making processes that impact bird populations.
Audubon’s 118th Christmas Bird Count will be conducted this coming season, with all counts held between the dates of Thursday, December 14, 2017 through Friday, January 5, 2018.
A map view of the circles expected to be included in the completed 118th CBC can be found here. If you’re interested in participating this season, check out the map to find a count near you; more circles will be added as they are approved for the 118th CBC and beyond. Green and yellow circles are open for new participants, and red circles are full. Please note online registration will not be available for the 118th Count—please contact compilers by email using the information from the pop-ups on the map.
If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher.
If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangement with the count compiler. Check out the sign-up link above during the sign-up season for information on how to contact the compiler. For information about nesting boxes, contact friendsofhagerman@gmail.com
Since the Christmas Bird Count began over a century ago, it has relied on the dedication and commitment of volunteers. You may participate in as many counts as you wish. Participation is free.