Bird the holidays away
As December unfolds, birders across the globe will embark on a quest to tally as many birds and species as possible over the course of a single day in a 15-mile radius. The Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, now in its 117th year, will feature a variety of local opportunities for expert and novice birders alike to participate in this annual birding experience.
The Christmas Bird Count is responsible for the largest citizen science database in the world, with the CBC now mobilizing more than 2,400 counting groups comprised of more than 60,000 individuals located in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and beyond. The data can be used for a variety of purposes, including analyzing the effect of climate change on winter bird distributions.
• The Franklin Bird Club’s Christmas Bird Count will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14. The group will divide into five teams, each with its own meeting location. At 5 p.m., the group will reconvene at Lazy Hiker Brewing to enjoy a brew and review findings from the day. Loaner binoculars are available.
Last year, 27 participants counted 3,420 birds representing 65 species, ranging from 333 sightings of the American crow to single sightings of Wilson’s snipe, the American woodcock and the winter wren.
Sign up with Rita St. Clair, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• On Friday, Dec. 16, the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society will start its count at 7:30 a.m., gathering at the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park in Highlands. A chili lunch will be provided from noon to 3 p.m. at the Hudson Library in Highlands. Expert guidance and loaner binoculars will be provided.
Last year, 22 counters fanned out to see or hear 1,139 birds representing 38 species, with notable sightings including 75 wild turkeys, 51 American goldfinches and 46 mallard ducks.
Sign up with Brock Hutchins, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• The Great Smoky Mountains Christmas Bird Count will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, starting from the Gatlinburg area. Sign up with Warren Bielenberg, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• The Balsam Christmas Bird Count will be held Friday, Dec. 30, running from approximately 7 a.m. to dusk. The area will be divided into four sections, with each section leader designating a starting place and time. Participants will meet at Bocelli’s for dinner afterward.
Last year, 19 participants recorded about 65 species, including 10 red crossbills, the only crossbills reported in North Carolina. Because the weather was mild and the Blue Ridge Parkway was within the count area, birders also glimpsed red-breasted nuthatch, golden-crowned kinglet and black-capped chickadee.
Sign up with Don Hendershot, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
