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 14, Crookston birders and nature enthusiasts will participate in this tradition, many rising before dawn. This is the 125th annual count hosted by Audubon.
This year is the 53rd year volunteers have counted birds in the Crookston area. Last year, seventeen volunteers enjoyed a beautiful day and counted 37 species of birds, totaling 1759 individuals. We hope this year’s weather will be as delightful as last year’s.
You only need an interest in wild birds. No equipment is needed, although bring a pair of binoculars or a bird book if you have them. 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 focus on the city of Crookston in the afternoon. Volunteers can assist for the full day, just the morning or just the afternoon. Bird feeders are also an important part of the count. People who live in the count circle can also participate by reporting bird sightings at their home feeders.
In addition to bird sightings during the count day, we also record all bird species seen 3 days before and 3 days after the count day.
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 McDonald’s Restaurant at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast and conversation. At 7:30 a.m., organizers will assign volunteers to their count areas. All birders of any ability are welcome to join. Counting begins at sunrise, around 8:00 a.m. Counters gather at noon at Subway in Crookston to exchange notes and organize the afternoon count.
If you cannot make it on Saturday, nearby counts are in Grand Forks on Sunday and near Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge on the following Thursday.
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.
