I have been the compiler of the Glace Bay Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the last 20 years and it has become as much a part of our Christmas holiday as our Christmas tree. My children never knew Christmas without counting birds and they consider it one of the highlights of the holiday season.
The count will take place this year on Wednesday, December 30, 2009. Most of the organizational takes place before and after the actual count day. On that day, we get up early and feed the birds first. Then we spend breakfast watching the feeders and recording birds. The other participants (field observers or feeder watchers) have already been contacted during the previous week and know their job for the day and get out to their assigned areas. We set out after breakfast, turning over the job of counting the birds at the feeder to our children.
The weather for the day can not be planned, just tolerated. The count is very seldom pushed ahead for bad weather. The participants spend the first half of the day out counting and by early afternoon when they need to rest and warm up they head for our house. In our home we have put out a hot lunch of soup and chili, rolls, and the essential carrot cake. During the lunch we have a chance to talk and organize the afternoon. If the weather is favourable, we usually organize an evening of owling.
It is a full day of fresh air and exercise that ends in a very interesting list of exciting bird sightings. The result of the count last year was an all time high of 93 species. Cathy
Anyone interested in joining in on the Glace Bay Christmas Bird Count can contact me at (902) 737-2684 or email me at Cathy and Allan. Observers are needed for in the field. If you have a bird feeder in the count circle we need you to count the birds at the feeder on that day. If you would like to see if you are in the count circle click here. Map of Glace Bay Christmas Bird Count Circle
If you need a Counting List you can print this off Counting List
