Birders and nature enthusiasts in Fernie will join others across the Western Hemisphere to participate in Bird Studies Canada and Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), held on December 19 in Fernie.
From December 14, 2011 to January 5, 2012 over 2,200 individual counts are planned to take place across the Americas and beyond.
Last year’s count tallied about 61 million birds in 2,215 locations by over 62,000 volunteers, which marked a record level of participation in terms of locations and observers.
The 112th CBC is predicted to be larger than ever with expanded geographical coverage and amassing knowledge concerning winter distributions of various bird species. The CBC is fundamental in monitoring the status of resident and migratory birds across the Western Hemisphere. The data collected by observers over the past century allow researchers, conservation biologists, and interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations.
The Fernie CBC welcomes all volunteers of any age and skill level to join the count parties whether to come out for the full day, or part of the day; and feeder watchers are also needed which can be done from the comfort of your own home. They will meet on December 19 at the Max Turyk School at 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. for the morning briefing. The schoolroom will also be used as the warm up centre and lunch meeting place.
For those who wish to participate in the Fernie CBC, please contact Bob Livsey at 250-423- 6699 or 250-430-1013, or email: naturebob@telus.net . To make things easier the day of the count, please try and get in touch beforehand to receive instructions.
Other CBC counts for the East Kootenays will be in Cranbrook, Saturday, December 17, (contact Greg Ross 250 489-2566); and the Kimberley CBC on Wednesday, December 28 (contact Ruth Goodwin 250 427-5405).