Christmas Bird Count
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Send to friendGrand Lake St. Marys, December 19, 2009 Eric Juterbock
The goal is to identify as may species as possible. The purpose is to quantify the number of bird species worldwide. The Christmas bird count is in its 110 year providing a big picture of bird populations. Think of it as a bird census that occurs each year.
41 locations or counts circles in Ohio, 100 in the nation and 1000 in the world.
Close to home are Grand Lake and Indian Lake circles.
I went on a bird watching adventure this past week. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count. There were 8 birdwatchers who participated. We met at the St. Mary's McDonald's at 7:30am, broke off into 4 groups and went out to count birds heard and seen.
Long term prospective… identify environmental issues…longest running uninterrupted bird census
The 110th Christmas Bird Count:
Citizen Science in Action
Monday, December 14, 2009 to Tuesday, January 5, 2010 

From December 14 through January 5 tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission - often before dawn. For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season.
Each of the citizen scientists who annually braves snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations - and to help guide conservation action.
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.
