The National Audubon Society invites birdwatchers to participate in the longest-running community science survey, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). On Saturday, December 17, birders and nature enthusiasts in Crookston will take part in this tradition, many rising before dawn to participate. This is the 123rd annual count hosted by Audubon.
This year is the 51st year volunteers have counted birds in the Crookston area. Last year ten volunteers enjoyed a beautiful day and counted 34 species of birds totaling 2826 individuals. We hope this year’s weather will be as delightful.
You do not have to be an expert to participate. The only equipment required are binoculars and a bird book. Typically, novice birders are paired with more experienced counters. Participants will count birds in assigned locations within a 15-mile diameter circle that includes the city of Crookston. This event can serve as a great learning experience for beginning birders. Participants can count from a vehicle or on foot, depending on their comfort and the weather conditions that day. Volunteers survey the rural areas in the morning and usually focus on the city of Crookston in the afternoon. Volunteers can assist for the whole day, just the morning or afternoon. Bird feeders are an essential part of the count, too. People who live in the count circle also can participate by reporting bird sightings at their home feeders.
All volunteers will receive a map of the count circle, a count form with the birds typically seen, and additional resources. If you are interested in participating or have questions about the count, contact John Loegering, volunteer count compiler, via email at jloegeri@umn.edu or 218-280-8014.
Volunteers will gather at RBJ’s Restaurant at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast and to assign counters to their areas. At 7:40 a.m. volunteers will coordinate coverage of the count circle. All birders of any ability are welcome to join. Counters eating breakfast should arrive by 7:00 a.m. Counting begins at sunrise, around 8:00 a.m. Counters gather at Subway in Crookston around noon to exchange notes and organize the afternoon count.
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is a free community science project organized by the National Audubon Society. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels, and Audubon’s free Bird Guide app makes it even easier to learn more. For more information and to find a count near you, visit www.christmasbirdcount.org.
Maps of the bird count areas can be seen below-
[embeddoc url=”https://kroxam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/CBC-CrookstonMap.pdf”]
[embeddoc url=”https://kroxam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/CBC-CrookstonMap2.pdf”]
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