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| In the 19th century, people commonly engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt". They would choose sides and go afield with their guns. Whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered quarry won. Conservation was in its beginning stages at the turn of the century, and many observers were becoming concerned about the indiscriminate slaughter of wildlife, and concurrent declines in bird populations. On Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman, an early officer in the then budding Audubon Society, called for an end to the slaughter. He suggested that,rather than shooting birds, people count them instead. So began the Christmas Bird Count. |
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Thanks to the inspiration
of Frank M. Chapman and the hard work of twenty-seven
dedicated birders, twenty-five Christmas Bird Counts were
held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario
to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near
the population centers of northeastern North America.
Those original 27 Christmas Bird Counters tallied a total
of 90 species on all the counts combined. |
| More
than 45,000 people participate each year in this
all-day census of early-winter bird populations.
The results of their efforts are compiled into the
longest running database in ornithology, representing
close to one hundred years of unbroken data on trends
of early-winter bird populations across the Americas.
Simply put, the Christmas Bird Count, or "CBC",
is citizen science in action. Statistics for the
counts can be found at Birdsource. |
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| The primary objective of the Christmas Bird Count is to monitor the status and distribution of bird populations across the Western Hemisphere. While there is a specific methodology to the CBC and you need to count birds within an existing Christmas Bird Count circle, everyone can participate! If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. If your home is within the boundaries of a Christmas Bird Count circle, then you can stay home and report the birds that visit your feeder or join a group of birdwatchers in the field. (Contact the count coordinator listed under the field trips to see if you live within one of the circles.) If you have never been on a CBC before and you want to participate in a count this year, including feeder counting, please contact your count coordinator prior to the count. |
| The count period, which is from December 14th to January 5th, in North America is referred to as "early winter," because many birds at this time are still in the late stages of their southward migration, so it is not "true" winter. When we combine these data with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, we begin to see a clearer picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. |
| The information is also vital for conservation. For example, local trends in bird populations can indicate habitat fragmentation or signal an immediate environmental threat, such as groundwater contamination or poisoning from improper use of pesticides. |
| From feeder-watchers and field observers to count compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the Christmas Bird Count does it for love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition -- and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation. Find out how to get involved. |
| As long as there are birds to be counted, the Christmas Bird Count will go on being the most popular, fun, and rewarding bird census the world over! |
| SCHEDULE
TOO BUSY?
You can still participate in the count from the comfort
of you home. If you live within 7.5 miles of Park Rd.
and Woodlawn Rd. or Sam Furr Rd. and Rt. 73 reporting
the birds at you feeders will add tremendously to the
data collected for the count. Also if you happen to spot
an unusual bird in your yard such as Purple Finch, Pine
Sisken, Evening Grosbeak, Hummingbird, Bald Eagle (Lake
Norman) either three days before or after the count day
please let us know. They can be included in the count
as 'count week birds'. |
| Plan
to participate in the important citizen science project.
You have three opportunties so you don't have any excuses! |
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Hermit Thrush |
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| Gaston
County |
| For
many animals the Catabaw River can act as a barrier.
Only the heartiest mammal will attempt to swim across
the river. Birds, however, are not as easily intimated.
And birders shouldn't be phased by the river either.
That's why we are teaming up with the birders from
the Gastonia area to conduct the Gaston County Christmas
Count. This will be a great opportunity to get to
know our neighbors and explore new birding hots.
All the details haven't been worked out yet but
plan to spend at least a morning if not the entire
day getting to know Gaston County. If you are interested
in starting a new tradition contact Judy
Walker. |
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Yellow-rumped Warbler |
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| Charlotte |
| The
granddaddy of the counts, this circle still encompasses
a surprising variety of habitat considering suburban
sprawl which has taken over much of the area. There
are still patches of woods, ponds, lakes, streams
and open fields which turn up a interesting variety
of resident and wintering species. In the last 5
years we have averaged around 90 species. A remarkable
number considering the wholesale lost of habitat
over the past 20 years which just proves the tenacity
of the birds. Although this is an all day event
if you can only participate in the morning or afternoon
you are more than welcome. Since fast food establishments
(and warmth) will be just around the corner packing
a lunch is optional although a thermos of coffee
never hurt. There will be a tally up dinner at Wing
Haven at 5:30 PM [directions].
Just bring your appetites and good birding stories.
Too assure even and complete coverage of the area
those who wish to participate should contact Dave Lovett. |
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Common Loon [Winter Plumage] |
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| Lake Norman |
| Now
in its eleventh year, this is the best count circle
in the Piedmont. Because of the wide variety of
habitat open fields, large lake, small ponds
and wetlands, mixed hardwood forest, old farms the
potential for unusual birds is great. In some ways
this count is like a tour through Peterson's guide
with a smattering of species from loons all the
way through to the sparrows with representatives
of almost everything in between. Groups will start
before dawn to catch the owls and woodcocks. Others
will meet at 7:00 AM. There are fast food places
in the count circle (in Cornelius) but you may want
to bring food to munch on for energy and warmth.
Although you might spend a fair amount of time in
the car, warm clothes and sturdy shoes are a must.
A tally up dinner will be held at 5:30 PM. Contact Taylor
Piephoff for specific assignments. |
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Fox Sparrow
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| Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge |
| There
is nothing quite like knowing you are the only one
wandering the paths of a wildlife refuge. That's
what it is like at the Pee Dee Count. We have the
refuge to ourselves and its a wonderful opportunity
to see a wide variety of birds and hopefully other
animals in a truly wild environment. Habitats include
open fields, mixed woodlands and small lakes and
ponds. Red-headed woodpeckers and ducks abound and
if we are lucky a few Tundra Swans might grace the
landscape. We will meet at 5:45 AM at the McDonald's
at the Windsor Square Shopping Center on Independence.
We will be out in the field all day so remember
to dress warmly as things can get pretty cold out
in the fields. Waterproof shoes would also be helpful
but not necessary. There will be a hot lunch to
warm our inners and energize us for an afternoon
of more birding. If you plan to attend contact Judy
Walker. |
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