This year’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) marks the 123rd year of the longest-running citizen science census in the Western Hemisphere.
Last year, 82 participants contributed in various capacities (from birding at home feeders to owl detections at night), mobilizing on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or by car, to log 4,973 total birds of 65 species in our 15-mile diameter count circle. We had a number of youth birders join us as well – let’s keep that going. We encourage anyone and everyone (no matter your level of birding skill) to jump in and have some fun with us observing our avian neighbors. Data compiled helps scientists to better predict and thus protect bird populations as they move across the landscape, among a time of sustained stressors. We need your help!
This year’s State of the Birds 2022 report indicated that birds are declining in nearly every habitat type. Not only have we (in US and Canada) lost 1 in 4 breeding birds in the past 50 years, but, furthermore, 70 species of birds in North America are now at a “tipping point”, having lost 2/3 of their populations in the past 50 years. Birds are telling us that they’re in trouble. It’s up to us to recognize these alarming statistics and do something about it. That starts with observation and that’s what the CBC is all about… due diligence.
The Pagosa Springs 2022 CBC count will take place on Saturday, December 17. In the event of inclement weather on the 17th, the proposed alternate date for the count is Sunday, December 18.
All ages and abilities are welcome.
In order to prepare for the count, Weminuche Audubon and Audubon Rockies will host bird identification classes, “Winter Birds 101”, for 3 evenings leading up to the count. We will cover Waterfowl tonight — Wednesday, November 30 — Songbirds on December 7, and Raptors (plus CBC protocols & review) on December 14. All evening sessions will be held in-person at the United Methodist Church from 6-8pm (and accessible virtually on Zoom). For virtual sign-on information, consult www.weminucheaudubon.org closer to the first class.
We hope you’ll join in on the effort to log birds and contribute to community science.
For more information about the CBC visit https://www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count or check out our website at www.weminucheaudubon.org.
To get involved, please contact Keith Bruno at kbruno@audubon.org and Jean Zirnhelt at weminuche.audubon@gmail.com.
There will be a CBC tally and storytelling gathering in January – date is TBD.
Keith Bruno is a community naturalist for the Audubon Society, serving southwest Colorado. He enjoys teaching about birds, native plants, pollinators, food security, snow science, and generally anything that gets him outdoors.