Each winter
the Audubon Society of Forsyth County participates in the Christmas
Bird Count, a project sponsored by the National Audubon Society.
This year's Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday,
December 30, 2006. Early birders get out before dawn to see
which owls are prowling -- the more ears the better! Most other
teams gather between 8 and 9 a.m., and count until dusk. This
is a great way to meet new people, learn more birds and contribute
to citizen science. Last year, forty-two counters spotted seventy-eight
species. But we never know what we might find! We always end
the count by gathering at the "after count dinner" to tally the
results.
What is
the Christmas Bird Count? Basically our bird count is a census
of the bird populations in specific areas within a fifteen mile
radius circle in Forsyth County. Teams of birders survey the birds
they see and hear - identifying species and counting the number
of individuals. Information from each team is compiled into a
single report.
Where does
the count take place? There are several areas/teams in Forsyth
County that are based at the following locations:
- Water Treatment Plants (Archie Elledge and Cooper Road)
- Tanglewood
- Salem Lake
- Downtown Winston-Salem
- Reynolda Gardens
- North (SciWorks and Landfill area)
- Bethabara Park
- Muddy Creek and Northwest
- Clemmons and Tanglewood
Can I count,
too? Sure! The more the merrier! Whether you are an experienced
birder or a beginner, the Chrismas Bird Count wants you! You will
be placed on a team with an experienced birder as a team leader.
Plan to join us - email Linda Davis at davisl@mindspring.com
or call (336) 924-1751 to sign up. Final details and team
assignments will be sent to all participants prior to the count.
While we're serious about the count, we have a great time together
- it's informal and fun for families!
How did
all this get started? The Christmas Bird Count idea started
in 1900 when ornithologist Frank Chapman was disturbed by an annual
holiday competition which honored the team who shot and killed
the most birds and small animals. In protest, Chapman organized
27 friends in 25 locations on Christmas Day to count, rather than
shoot, the birds – a tradition that continues today.
THE
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT - DECEMBER 30,2006.
