Birds have been tweeting for far longer than people, and when it comes to birdwatching tweets give the game away. When it is a bird in a bush and hard to find, a good pair of birdwatching ears can draw attention to its hiding place.
Being able to find birds is key for two bird counts that take place in December around the Powell River area. The first is for young naturalists. Children aged six through 12 and their families are invited to participate in the Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids, a national event through Bird Studies Canada, at 10 am on Saturday, December 7, starting at Willingdon Beach Campground picnic area. Together with expert birdwatchers, the children will identify and count birds seen within a two-hour period, at the same time as learning about the species local to the area. Children will also learn how to use binoculars and identify birds by using a bird book.
Elizabeth Tenhoeve is organizing the children’s bird count for Powell River. “This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy time together outdoors and develop a love and respect for nature,” she said. “With the assistance of experienced adult birders it could very well be the introduction to a lifelong hobby or the awakening of a passion for conservation.” Results from the children’s count will be added to other tallies across the country, “contributing bird count data to real citizen science.”
The second event is for adult birdwatchers and is a week later, on Saturday, December 14. This is the annual Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada count and takes place from dawn (8:08 am) until dusk (4:17 pm). If the weather is really nasty, this event will take place on Sunday, December 15 instead.
People can participate in two different ways—by joining one of the organized groups that go out into the field all day, or by staying home and watching their bird feeders. In either case, interested participants must register by contacting local data compiler Heather Harbord 604.485.5379, [email protected].
A person does not need to be an expert birdwatcher to take part in the outdoor count. There is always an opportunity to see the birds close up through telescopes, and each group will need a volunteer who keeps an account of the number and types of birds seen, as well as information about the distance travelled by the group. It is a fun way to spend a day in the outdoors, watching and learning about birds in the area.
The Audubon count is the oldest and largest bird count in the world. Thousands of people take part every year, collecting valuable data on the distribution of birds. “Each volunteer observer is an important contributor, helping to shape the overall direction of bird conservation,” said Dick Cannings, Bird Studies Canada Christmas bird count coordinator. “The data collected has become a crucial part of Canada’s biodiversity monitoring database.”
After the Audubon count, a pot luck dinner warms up the watchers and is a great opportunity to share reports and tally numbers of species seen during the day.
Both bird counts will involve being outside in cold weather. Therefore, participants are reminded to dress warmly in windproof and waterproof clothes and boots.
Families interested in the children’s bird count can contact Janet Southcott 604.485.0077 for more information.
