Members of the Weminuche Audubon Society chapter are extending an invitation to the people of Archuleta County to help us count birds for this year’s Christmas Bird Count, Audubon’s 124th annual census of winter birds.
Volunteer help is critical to the success of this annual event. Participants don’t need to be experienced birders; we welcome participation from all interested community members, and visitors.
In preparation for the count, Keith Bruno, Audubon Rockies Southwest Community Naturalist, will lead us in three bird identification classes to review species that we may encounter here during the winter. Classes are scheduled for Wednesday evenings, beginning tomorrow, November 29, and continuing with classed on December 6 and December 13 at the Community United Methodist Church on Lewis Street, starting promptly at 6pm and be done by 8pm.
The first class will cover waterfowl in time to visit local waterways and test your identification skills.
On December 16, teams will split up to record all of the birds that we identify by sight or sound in our local count circle, following protocols established by the National Audubon Society.
The Pagosa Springs count is conducted within a 15-mile-diameter circle, divided into eight zones, and centered on Trujillo Road near downtown. Areas covered include town; about 6 miles east; most of Pagosa Lakes including Meadows subdivisions; west to Elk Park, Alpha, Rockridge, Timber Ridge, Mill Creek and Holiday Acres areas; Snowball, Cemetery and the first part of Fourmile Road; Loma Linda; south to the Lower Blanco area; Trujillo Road to Burns Canyon; and areas in between. It’s a lot of ground to cover in one day.
If you live within the count circle, you can also participate by counting birds at your feeders using the forms provided, or let us know that we are welcome to stop by and tally what we see in your yard. Please keep your bird feeders full that day.
For further information on the count or to sign up as a volunteer, email weminuche.audubon@gmail.com.
Be a part of this important endeavor carried out by people just like you all across the Western Hemisphere.