The arrival of the holidays means it’s time for Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. The CBC has become a happy tradition since ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. The first Christmas Bird Count was held on Christmas Day 1900.
Each year the Christmas Bird Count is conducted between December 14 and January 5. Last year, 83,100 volunteers counted 44 million birds representing 2,500 species during the CBC.
Birders of all skill levels are welcome to join the CBC. But to participate you need to sign up and join an existing CBC circle in your area. The South Sound Bird Alliance runs two circle counts each year. Those interested will want to contact one of the circle compilers listed below as soon as possible. Join this year’s Christmas Bird Count; it’s a great way to help us find out about the health of the birds we love during the holidays.
The Olympia Circle is on Sunday, December 14th. The compiler is Bill Shelmerdine. georn1@hotmail.com
The Lewis Count Circle is on Saturday, December 20th. The
compiler is Rachel Holland. Lightningdash09@yahoo.com
After participants are done counting on December 14th, the Olympia Circle will again hold a chili feed at Gull Harbor Lutheran Church starting at 3:30. The church address is 4610 Boston Harbor Rd NE, Olympia, and all are invited. If you are able to provide a dessert or plate of cornbread for the Chili Feed, please let Deb Nickerson know ( debranick@gmail.com ) and bring it to the church between 2 – 3:30 PM. People attending the Lewis County Circle should contact Rachel Holland about the time and location of any after count dinner.
Additional information on joining Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count is at: https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
Tom Reynolds
