125th Annual Christmas Bird Count returns to Northumberland
Northumberland County
The Willow Beach Field Naturalists invite budding and experiencing birders to participate in North America's longest-running wildlife census.
Ontario Nature announces the return of its own Christmas tradition – the Christmas Bird Count.
Willow Beach Field Naturalists are among the network of 67 Ontario Nature groups that will be leading such events this holiday season, with three of them planned – Dec. 14 in the Cobourg-Port Hope area, Dec. 15 at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and Jan. 1 on Rice Lake Plains.
The Christmas Bird Count began in 1900, and today it is North America’s longest-running wildlife census. Bird lovers of all ages and skill levels are invited to celebrate the 125th edition by joining one of the many counts happening across Ontario.
These Nature Network group counts are a fun way to learn more about birds and support their conservation, and the events are friendly and inclusive – whether you are new to birding or have years of experience. And some of the events are geared towards kids as a way of interesting budding nature lovers in birding.
It's an opportunity to get outdoors, spend time with other nature lovers and collect data that make a difference.
Scientists use the data collected to monitor the health and status of resident and migratory birds over time. Environmental groups use the data to identify species in decline and their habitat in order to develop conservation strategies. Community scientists learn much about myriad bird species that live in (and migrate through) their communities.
or more information, e-mail ekrf@eagle.ca for the Presqu'ile and Cobourg-Port Hope counts and andreakingsley@gmail.com for the one on the Rice Lake Plains.
