Started in 1900, the annual Christmas Bird Count is North America’s longest-running Citizen Science project. The count focuses on the winter bird population, which is quite different from summer, as many birds leave our area for warmer climes and other species arrive from the far north.
The information collected by thousands of volunteer participants forms one of the world’s largest sets of wildlife survey data and is used daily by biologists to assess population trends and distribution of birds. The results of all counts are submitted to Bird Studies Canada and collated for all of North America.
Each Christmas Bird Count is completed within a previously established 24 km diameter area on a single day. The Vernon count, organized by the North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club, will be held this year on Sunday, Dec. 16. We invite all interested people (new and experienced birders alike) to participate in this year’s count.
See results from last year’s count here: Bird count numbers soar
If you are interested in joining us for a day to count our feathered friends in the Vernon area, with your binoculars or camera, please contact co-ordinator Rick Bonar (rick.bonar@hotmail.com) and we will do our best to match you with a group of experienced naturalists for the outing.
Another way to participate is to observe and count the birds at your feeder. For details, contact the Bonar before the day of the count. Please note that your location has to be within the count circle (12km radius from the Vernon Performing Arts Centre).
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