Christmas Bird Count coming up this weekend

The annual Christmas Bird Count will take place this Sunday for both the Westport and Stamford/Greenwich circles. The CBC is the oldest citizen science project in the world. It involves birdwatchers scouring a region to see how many birds (individual birds and species) the can count in a 24-hour period.

The Counts in southern Connecticut usually yield in the ballpark of 90 to 110 different species. Counts held in inland parts of New England yield numbers in the 40-50 range, depending on the availability of open water for duck species. Some Counts in Texas yield 200 or even 300 birds in one day!

It’s an exciting day for birdwatchers all across the country — and beyond.

I’ll be doing live updates from a few CBCs this weekend, so tune into Bird Calls Radio this Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m. at WGCH AM1490 (or click “listen live” above to listen via the Internet).

Weather depending, I’ll be doing a live update via cell phone from the “boat crew” of the Westport Bird Count. Each year a boat crew heads out of Norwalk Harbor and into Long Island Sound to see what birds are lurking out among the islands. For the past several years, Larry Flynn has captained that boat. I’ve been tagging along with him for four or five years now, but this year Townsend Dickinson will head out with Larry as I have to be “onshore” to make sure I get to the radio station on time. I’ll miss the adventure, but I’m sure Towny and Larry will provide us with some incredible insights as to what they are seeing.

Also, if the timing works out, we’ll get a live in-studio update from some members of the Greenwich/Stamford crew. Should be a fun show. Be sure to tune in this Sunday (Dec. 18, 2011).

Pasted below is a press release about the Westport CBC:

For Immediate Release: December 3, 2011 Press Release or Public Service Annoucement
Contact Information: Mardi Dickinson 203-846-0359 Kymry Group™ mardi1d@gmail.com  kymrygroup.com

Westport, CT CBC Christmas Bird Count Sunday December 18th 2011

This year is the 65th Annual Westport Christmas Bird Count, and the 112th anniversary of the National Audubon CBC concept. This fall has been pretty exciting for Connecticut birders with a number of unusual species being seen in our area. CBC participants are looking forward to finding the unusual and the commonplace too, as all birds count on a CBC.

The CBC tradition has volunteer bird watchers at all levels of experience spend all or part of one day, around the Holiday season, going out into the field in various locations within the local Count Circle. Teams of observers will canvass many local hot spots. The object is to identify and count each species of bird they see and to record how many of each type they see in one day.
The Westport CBC Christmas Bird Count is conducted during a 24-hour period (rain, sleet, snow, or shine) from midnight to midnight, Sunday, December 18th, 2011.The intent of the count is to locate, identify, and count all birds found within a 15-mile diameter count circle, centered at Westport’s twin Bridges on Route 57. Data collected (as well as totals from 16 other counts in Connecticut) is submitted to the National Audubon Society.

Count participants (observers) range in birding ability from pigeon-feeders to “Olympic Champions”. ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE. Count Week is Wednesday 12/14 -12/20. Generally experienced birders are paired with those who have less experience. Most observers start looking for birds at sunrise (7am), but some go out several hours earlier searching for owls and rails. Some make a daylong affair, others participants for just two or three hours. Field activity tends to wind down at sundown.

Remember the CBC is supposed to be fun, so stay safe. Drive carefully; watch your step, stay off private property unless arrangements have been made, wear appropriate clothing and footwear. If you are just getting started in birding or have tons of experience and think you want to join a CBC field team,

Contact: Mardi Dickinson- Westport CBC Compiler & Captain. mardi1d@gmail.com. kymrygroup.com. Tel: 203-846-0359.

Backyard Feeder Counts: Some birders also choose to stay home, but they too can participate by observing their backyard bird feeders and counting local visitors. These counts have certain guidelines but are welcome additions to the science that 112 years of continuous data collection supported by the National Audubon Society. Feeder forms can be obtained by going to http://kymry.wordpress.com/ and click on Backyard Feeder List.

The CBC results are published in AMERICAN BIRDS along with the input from 1700 other counts conducted nationwide and throughout the Americas. This is the longest running annual census of bird populations in the country, thanks to the some 44,000 thousand birdwatchers who volunteer their efforts.

After the count this year CBC observers then will gather at 6pm to tally the results and join in on a potluck dinner celebration to discuss the highlights of the day. Authored by Mardi Dickinson/Kymry Group™

As always, thanks for supporting Bird Calls Radio.